When Bear Alexander flirted with the switch portal final spring, USC and its employees did no matter it may to maintain the previous five-star defensive deal with within the fold. On the time, Alexander seemed just like the Trojans’ finest hope to convey a disruptive defensive presence to the Large Ten.
However as USC’s new protection got here collectively, Alexander’s function diminished. Whilst coaches praised his progress, the previous all-Pac-12 defensive deal with didn’t begin any of USC’s first three video games. Relegated to a rotational function up entrance, Alexander performed simply 28 snaps, then 20, then 21 final Saturday in opposition to Michigan, earlier than frustrations lastly boiled over into public view, posted on social media for all to see.
These frustrations, from Alexander and his household, have been dismissed on Tuesday by USC coach Lincoln Riley. However any questions concerning the proficient defensive deal with’s future at USC have been answered by Wednesday, when his guardian, Tony Jones, confirmed to The Occasions that Alexander intends to redshirt this season, sitting out the remainder of the season to protect a 12 months of eligibility.
Requested if the rationale for Alexander’s resolution to depart the workforce was an absence of enjoying time, Jones mentioned, “100%.” He characterised the connection with USC as “severed.”
Learn extra: USC lineman Bear Alexander is pushing to turn into the Large Ten star the Trojans want
That relationship was strained earlier this 12 months when Alexander instructed coaches throughout spring apply that he deliberate to enter the switch portal. The USC employees satisfied him to remain thanks, partially, to the NFL pedigree of recent defensive position coach Eric Henderson and a renegotiated NIL association.
“He didn’t [leave]. So we’re glad he’s nonetheless right here,” Henderson mentioned throughout USC’s media day in August. “We don’t need to relive no matter that was at the moment.”
Henderson raved that day about Alexander’s renewed curiosity in USC’s protection and the way he’d spent the summer season holed up in Henderson’s workplace, “thirsting for information.” On the time, Alexander mentioned he was centered on turning earlier flashes of brilliance into extended stretches of “being a constant participant.” He spoke of being a frontrunner for USC’s protection by “simply ensuring my motor is on the high, so different guys’ motors are as effectively.”
After Alexander missed most of spring with a hamstring harm, Riley highlighted how essential it was for Alexander to “take extra steps in that course.”
Gavin Meyer, a graduate switch from Wyoming, emerged throughout preseason camp because the extra dependable choice on the inside within the eyes of USC’s employees. By the tip of August, Riley had begun to mood expectations for Alexander, explaining that he had “a protracted methods to go” and was “nonetheless very younger on the soccer subject.”
That trepidation clearly left Alexander with a lesser function to start out the season. Nonetheless, in his 69 snaps, USC’s chief in quarterback hurries from final season (23) has extra hurries this 12 months (2) than Meyer or Vanderbilt switch Nate Clifton, who has began on the different deal with spot.
USC hadn’t made Alexander accessible to talk with reporters because the season started. After the loss to Michigan, Alexander vented his frustration on social media by tweeting, “FREE 9-OWE,” in reference to his personal jersey quantity.
Jones, his guardian, argued with former USC soccer gamers on social media and posted a number of clips from the Michigan recreation to show his level. He took goal at different Trojan defensive tackles competing with Alexander, and, in a since-deleted tweet, even instructed that Riley and USC’s coaches had lied to him.
“NO DEFENSIVE TACKLE IS BETTER THAN MY SON, within the NATION,” Jones wrote Tuesday on social media. “I respect these guys, however rattling idiot I don’t suppose they’re higher than Bear.”
Learn extra: USC lineman Bear Alexander is pushing to turn into the Large Ten star the Trojans want
Later that day, Riley dismissed questions on Alexander’s discontent.
“All people wants to simply chill out,” he mentioned. “All people’s going to be positive.”
Requested once more about plans for Alexander, Riley instructed inquiring reporters have been simply “in search of” a narrative.
“Folks need to act just like the man’s not enjoying snaps,” Riley mentioned. “He’s doing a very good job for us out right here. He’s getting higher. There’s no story there.”
The subsequent day, Alexander was on his approach out.
Riley received’t reckon with that departure publicly till Thursday, when he’s scheduled to fulfill with reporters. However defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn did categorical confidence within the depth left behind with Alexander now out of the image.
“We really feel like that’s one of many strengths of the workforce,” Lynn mentioned.
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Occasions.
