USC's Bear Alexander to Redshirt Amid Playing Time Dispute

The defensive tackle will sit out the rest of the season to preserve eligibility after seeing a diminished role on the team.

Bear Alexander, a defensive tackle for USC, has decided to redshirt the remainder of the 2024 season due to dissatisfaction with his playing time.
Alexander's guardian, Tony Jones, confirmed that the decision was made to allow Alexander to preserve a year of eligibility and potentially seek a transfer.
Alexander transferred from Georgia to USC ahead of the 2023 season and was a key player last year, but his role has been reduced under the new defensive coordinator, D'Anton Lynn.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley acknowledged the competition for playing time on the defensive line but downplayed the significance of Alexander's decision.
This move follows a trend in college football where players use redshirt seasons strategically, often to explore other opportunities or preserve eligibility.