Report: USC's Alexander plans to sit out remainder of season

USC defensive lineman Bear Alexander plans to redshirt this season and sit out the remainder of the 2024 campaign, according to Connor Morrissette of 247Sports.

Alexander was at practice Tuesday but informed head coach Lincoln Riley of his decision Wednesday, Morrissette added.

"We made clear what our goals are. That goal is to be a full-time starter and leader on the defense like we came to be," Tony Jones, who Alexander calls his father, said, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN.

"If Bear not being a starter and playing 35 or 40 snaps a game isn’t in the best interest of the team, we need to do something different."

Alexander is expected to remain with USC, Jones added.

The 21-year-old played in only 21 of the team's 58 defensive snaps in its 27-24 loss to Michigan last week. He commented on his lack of playing time with a post on social media a few days after the contest.

"He played over a third of the game. People want to act like he's not playing snaps," Riley said Tuesday, per Thomas Goldkamp of On3. "He's doing a good job for us out here."

Riley added: "There's no story there. I know you guys are looking for one."

Alexander transferred to USC after spending his freshman season with Georgia. He recorded a sack in the Bulldogs' 65-7 win over TCU in the 2022 national title game.

There were reports in April that Alexander was planning on exploring his options in the portal before the 2024 season, but he denied them shortly after.

"I'm here to finish what I started, and that's chasing a natty here at USC with my teammates," Alexander said on April 10.

The former four-star recruit has 52 tackles and one-and-a-half sacks in 16 career games with the Trojans.