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.

If you love a good soap opera, Bear Alexander at USC has provided one. Let's be clear: Bear Alexander was a good player for USC last season. He gave the Trojans his best on Alex Grinch's beleaguered defensive unit.

USC defensive lineman Bear Alexander is planning to redshirt, according to his guardian Tony Jones. "He's taking the shirt," Jones said in a text. Alexander was not at practice Wednesday after practicing Tuesday.

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.

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.