USC Football: Trojans DL Slams Transfer Portal Talk, Will Return to Team
After reports that USC football defensive lineman Bear Alexander planned to enter the transfer portal emerged Tuesday, Alexander has shut them down. Alexander took to social media to clarify that he plans on staying at USC.
"I’m not crystal clear on all of the noise or what any of this portal mess is about," Alexander said on X. "I'm here to finish what I started and that's chasing a natty [national title] here at USC with my teammates."
Alexander transferred to USC a year ago, after spending his first collegiate season with the Georgia Bulldogs. Alexander helped Georgia win a national championship that year, recording nine tackles and two sacks, including one sack in the national championship win over TCU.
In his first season at USC, Alexander recorded 47 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups as the Trojans defense struggled overall. The good news for Alexander and the Trojans is the program has put in significant effort to improve their defense, especially from a coaching standpoint.
The Trojans have brought in former UCLA defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, who led the No. 10 defense in the FBS a season ago. In addition, USC brought in Eric Henderson as their co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. Henderson was previously the defensive line coach of the Los Angeles Rams, where he coached Aaron Donald. Henderson's experience should make him a great coach and mentor for Alexander, who will look to continue improving in his third season with the Trojans.
