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.

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

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 Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley told media members that there was no story.  By Wednesday night, it became incredibly apparent that

USC football is losing defensive tackle Bear Alexander, who is redshirting after playing a small role in the Trojans' loss to Michigan.

The defensive tackle has seen his snaps dwindle in 2024 after a promising sophomore season in 2023, prompting a suggestive tweet from Alexander on Monday.

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

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.