5 Transfer Portal Landing Spots for Bear Alexander: Texas, LSU Options for the USC DT?

Bear Alexander’s football journey might have the most stops in the history of the sport. He played at four different high schools prior to committing to Georgia, and he is now looking for his third collegiate team in as many years. Which schools make the most sense for the USC defensive tackle?

UPDATE: On April 10, Alexander announced he will stay with the Trojans for the 2024 season, posting on X, “I’m here to finish what I started and that’s chasing a natty here at USC with my teammates.”

Landing Spots for Bear Alexander

A Texas native, Alexander named Georgia and Texas A&M as his final two as a four-star high school recruit. He shocked many by choosing the Bulldogs over his home-state school, but he earned a national championship ring in his first year with the program.

His mentor, Tony Jones, whom Alexander sees as a father figure, told the LA Times last offseason that Georgia’s staff assured him that Alexander would play a major role in the 2023 season. However, when he wasn’t a clear-cut starter after the spring, Alexander put his name in the portal.

Of course, he ultimately joined USC for a disappointing 7-5 campaign. Lincoln Riley brought in a new defensive coordinator and multiple transfers, including along the defensive line, to help bolster a unit that struggled mightily. Perhaps the changes didn’t mesh well with Alexander, or it was NIL-related. Either way, he’s leaving Southern California, but where will he call home next?

Texas Longhorns

As is the case with several of the landing spots here, Texas is losing both of its starting DTs to the NFL Draft in T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II. It’s a win-win situation, as Alexander gets to play close to home, and the Longhorns receive much-needed interior help.

It also helps that Texas was in the running for the 6’3″, 313-pound lineman as a recruit and a transfer athlete the first time around.

LSU Tigers

While Texas is replacing two of its DTs, LSU is replacing three. Maason Smith, Mekhi Wingo, and Jordan Jefferson are pursuing their NFL dreams, leaving the Tigers with massive holes along the defensive line. Due to his size and experience, Alexander can start in Jefferson’s role from Day 1, splitting his time between the A and B gaps.

Oregon Ducks

Head coach Dan Lanning was already in Eugene when Alexander suited up for Georgia, but he saw enough to extend an offer to him last year. With the aptly named DT on the market again, could Lanning try to lure him to Oregon once more?

Four of the Ducks’ five snap leaders on the interior are gone, including star Brandon Dorlus. Houston’s Jamaree Caldwell transferred in, but there’s room for more reinforcements.

Colorado Buffaloes

Deion Sanders and Co. have not been shy in the transfer portal after collapsing to a 4-8 record last season. A point of emphasis has been the trenches, with 13 players joining the offensive (four) and defensive (eight) lines.

Nevertheless, the Buffaloes would accept Alexander with open arms, offering him a chance to be a part of the rebuild and possibly earn more NIL money.

Texas A&M Aggies

Sure, Alexander spurned the program coming out of high school, but he’s still a talented player at a position of need. Plus, it’s a new regime at the helm under Mike Elko, so there’s no ill will.

KEEP READING: 5-Star DT Justus Terry Flips Commitment From Georgia to USC

Alexander could fill the outgoing McKinnley Jackson’s role as the primary nose tackle, using his size to fill gaps in the run game while also providing some juice as a pass rusher.

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