USC tackle Bear Alexander is redshirting after dispute over playing time

USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander will redshirt the remainder of this season. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

When Bear Alexander flirted with the transfer portal last spring, USC and its staff did whatever it could to keep the former five-star defensive tackle in the fold. At the time, Alexander looked like the Trojans’ best hope to bring a disruptive defensive presence to the Big Ten.

But as USC’s new defense came together, Alexander’s role diminished. Even as coaches praised his progress, the former all-Pac-12 defensive tackle didn’t start any of USC’s first three games. Relegated to a rotational role up front, Alexander played just 28 snaps, then 20, then 21 last Saturday against Michigan, before frustrations finally boiled over into public view, posted on social media for all to see.

Those frustrations, from Alexander and his family, were dismissed on Tuesday by USC coach Lincoln Riley. But any questions about the talented defensive tackle’s future at USC were answered by Wednesday, when his guardian, Tony Jones, confirmed to The Times that Alexander intends to redshirt this season, sitting out the rest of the season to preserve a year of eligibility.

Asked if the reason for Alexander’s decision to leave the team was a lack of playing time, Jones said, “100%.” He characterized the relationship with USC as “severed.”

Read more: USC lineman Bear Alexander is pushing to become the Big Ten star the Trojans need

That relationship was strained earlier this year when Alexander told coaches during spring practice that he planned to enter the transfer portal. The USC staff convinced him to stay thanks, in part, to the NFL pedigree of new defensive line coach Eric Henderson and a renegotiated NIL arrangement.

“He didn’t [leave]. So we’re glad he’s still here,” Henderson said during…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/usc-starting-defensive-tackle-bear-005710945.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-09-26 00:57:10

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