35 Facts About Bear Alexander

Bear Alexander is a name that has been buzzing in the college football world. From his early days in Texas to his current situation at USC, his journey is filled with ups and downs. Let's dive into the key facts about this promising defensive lineman.

Early Life and High School Career

Bear Alexander's football journey began in Texas, where he quickly made a name for himself.

1. Bear Alexander was born in Terrell, Texas.
2. He started his high school football career at Terrell High School in 2018.
3. Alexander earned Texas District 8-5A Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors in his freshman year.
4. In his junior year, he transferred to Denton Ryan High School.
5. At Denton Ryan, he helped the team win the Texas 5A Division I state championship.
6. During his senior season at IMG Academy, he led the team to a 9-1 record.
7. He was selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game.

College Football Career

Bear's college career started at Georgia before he made a significant move to USC.

8. Alexander began his collegiate career at the University of Georgia.
9. In his one year at Georgia, he played in 12 of 15 games.
10. He recorded 9 total stops, including 2 QB sacks, and 13 QB hurries.
11. Alexander had 2 tackles for loss and a sack in Georgia’s 65-7 win over TCU in the National Championship Game.

Transfer to USC

Bear's transfer to USC marked a new chapter in his football journey.

12. In the fall of 2023, Alexander transferred to USC.
13. He made an immediate impact by bolstering the Trojan defensive line.
14. In his first season with USC, he recorded 48 tackles, including 6.5 for loss (with 1.5 sacks).
15. He led the team with 4 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass breakup.
16. Alexander appeared in all 13 games and started 12.

Phil Steele All-Pac-12 Honors

Bear's performance at USC did not go unnoticed.

17. He was named to the Phil Steele All-Pac-12 First Team.
18. He also received All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention.

2023 Season Statistics

Bear's stats from the 2023 season highlight his contributions on the field.

19. Against San Jose State: 1 tackle, including 0.5 for loss of 11 yards (with 0.5 sack for minus 11 yards) and 1 pass breakup.
20. Against Nevada: 4 tackles, including 0.5 for loss of 1 yard.
21. Against Stanford: 2 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
22. Against Arizona State: 5 tackles, including 1.5 for loss of 9 yards (with 1 sack for minus 8 yards) and 1 QB hurry.
23. Against Colorado: 2 tackles.
24. Against Arizona: 4 tackles, 1 pass breakup, and 1 QB hurry.
25. Against Utah: 6 tackles, including 1 for loss of 1 yard and 1 QB hurry.
26. Against California: 2 tackles, including 1 for loss of 1 yard and 1 pass breakup.
27. Against Washington: 6 tackles, including 1 for loss of 6 yards.
28. Against Oregon and UCLA: 6 tackles in each game, co-leading the team in tackles against UCLA.

Holiday Bowl Performance

Bear's performance in the Holiday Bowl was another highlight of his season.

29. In the Holiday Bowl against Louisville, Alexander collected 4 tackles, including 1 for loss of 2 yards.

Current Season and Redshirting Decision

Bear's decision to redshirt for the 2024 season has been a significant development.

30. As of the 2024 season, Alexander has been redshirting.
31. This decision was influenced by his limited playing time, which has been a point of contention.
32. Despite being a highly touted defensive lineman, he has seen only 21 snaps against Michigan, his lowest playing time of the season.

Guardian's Statement and Social Media Activity

Bear's guardian and social media activity have highlighted the frustrations surrounding his playing time.

33. Alexander's guardian, Tony Jones, expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, stating that the connection with USC is "severed."
34. Alexander tweeted, "FREE 9-OWE," while Jones shared several tweets advocating for Alexander's performance.

Future Prospects

Despite the current uncertainty, Bear Alexander's future remains promising.

35. The decision to redshirt this season will allow Alexander to maintain an additional year of eligibility, giving him more time to develop and potentially return to the field stronger.

Bear Alexander's Future in College Football

Bear Alexander's journey in college football has been a rollercoaster. From his early days in Terrell, Texas, to his standout performances at USC, he's shown immense talent and potential. However, his decision to redshirt for the 2024 season due to limited playing time has added a layer of complexity to his career. Despite frustrations expressed by his guardian and himself, Alexander's future remains bright. The redshirt year offers him a chance to develop further and come back stronger. His stats, including 57 total tackles and 3.5 sacks, speak volumes about his capabilities. With an additional year of eligibility, Bear has the opportunity to redefine his role within USC's defensive scheme. Fans and coaches alike will be watching closely to see how this talented defensive lineman navigates the next chapter of his college football journey.