Business as usual,” Riley says for the Trojans’ defensive line after seemingly severing ties with the defensive tackle, but a host of questions remain.

USC's Bear Alexander has decided to take a redshirt year after having a diminished role on the No. 13 Trojans’ defense over the first three games of this season.

USC DT Bear Alexander, who'd expressed displeasure with his playing time after three games, is taking a redshirt season in 2024 and will have two years remaining.

The former five-star prospect did not start any of the Trojans' first three games but did play significant snaps against LSU and Michigan.

Former top-10 prospect Bear Alexander doesn’t want to use a year of eligibility this season. The USC defensive tackle is set to redshirt for the rest of the 2024 season after he didn’t play a major role on USC’s defense through the first three games of the season.

Once one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in the country, USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander will be sitting out the rest of the season to redshirt. And USC football coach Lincoln Riley is apparently not interested in talking about it.

Alexander has seen his role reduced this season and will now sit out the rest of the season to retain a year of eligibility ahead of a transfer out of the program.