USC’s defensive transformation complete with Bear Alexander commitment

Georgia defensive lineman Bear Alexander announced his commitment to USC football, giving Lincoln Riley his biggest boost yet on defense.

USC football had an unstoppable offense in Lincoln Riley’s first season. Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy as the Trojans averaged 41 points per game. That was good enough to flip a 4-8 record into 11-3.

However, the Trojan defense left plenty to be desired. Giving up 29.2 points per game simply isn’t acceptable for a team with College Football Playoff aspirations.

So the offseason focus in the transfer portal for USC has been on defense. And the Trojans just picked up their biggest one yet.

Georgia defensive lineman Bear Alexander committed to join the Trojans on Sunday, a week after announcing his entrance into the transfer portal before the Bulldogs Spring Game.

https://twitter.com/Footballville/status/1650279332089065472?s=20

Lincoln Riley’s USC defense gets massive boost from Georgia transfer Bear Alexander

Georgia had tapped Alexander as a potential replacement for Jalen Carter, the All-American defensive tackle who could hear his name called early in the coming NFL Draft. However, he decided his future wasn’t anchoring the Bulldogs line, apparently frustrated with the rotation in Athens during spring camp.

There won’t be any question of Alexander’s place on the USC defensive front. He will walk into a starring role in Los Angeles. At 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, he will add a physical presence the Trojans have been lacking up front.

USC has transformed their front seven via the transfer portal. Defensive end Anthony Lucas from Texas A&M, nose tackle Kyon Barrs from Arizona, defensive tackle Jack Sullivan from Purdue, edge rusher Jamil Muhammad from Georgia State and linebacker Mason Cobb from Oklahoma State have all entered the picture.

When you factor in 2022 linebacker transfers Shane Lee from Alabama, Eric Gentry from Arizona State and Romello Height from Auburn, the Trojans could field an all-transfer lineup in 2023.

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