USC lands former Georgia defensive tackle Bear Alexander, who transferred to play for Lincoln Riley

Former Georgia defensive lineman Bear Alexander has been transferred to USC, citing Trojan coach Lincoln Riley as the reason behind his decision to leave the defending national champions.

“I mean, it’s Lincoln Riley,” Alexander said ESPN.

While it’s unusual for a player to move away from the reigning national champions, Alexander joins an alleged title contender with a Heisman-winning quarterback in Caleb Williams — Riley’s third apprentice to win the award, dating back to the coach’s tenure in Oklahoma.

The Trojans went 11-3 in Riley’s first year as head coach last season and Alexander seems to think they can improve on that mark.

“I just look at their production last year, they lost two games, barely lost to Utah… as Caleb [Williams] wasn’t hurt, they definitely would have been in there,” Alexander said, adding that he’s “excited to go play for” Riley

USC head coach Lincoln Riley speaks with the team after the spring game at the Coliseum

The 300-pound lineman was widely regarded as the best player still available in the transfer portal.

Playing as a freshman at Georgia’s line last season, Alexander recorded nine tackles and two sacks — including one in the Bulldogs’ victory over TCU in the national championship game at SoFi Stadium several miles south of USC’s campus.

Visiting USC earlier this month, the native Texan quickly agreed to participate in Riley’s rebuilding project at the West Coast’s most prominent football program.

USC’s defense struggled mightily against top teams last season, and Riley has been working to strengthen his defensive roster with a major overhaul through the transfer portal.

The Trojans have now added Alexander, Purdue transfer Jack Sullivan, Texas A&M transfer Anthony Lucas and Arizona transfer Kyon Barrs to the line, along with Oklahoma State transfer Mason Cobb and Georgia State transfer Jamal Muhammad at linebacker.

Caleb Williams takes a photo during the USC spring game at Memorial Coliseum on April 1

But Alexander looks set to be Riley’s biggest transfer portal acquisition of the off-season.

Ranked No. 56 in the recruiting class of 2022 by ESPN, Alexander was one of the most sought-after defensive tackles in the country before choosing Georgia over Texas A&M.

The six-foot-tall, 305-pound defensive tackle had nine tackles, including two sacks, for Georgia last season.

“I don’t want to brag about myself, but everyone wants the Big Dipper,” Alexander told ESPN. “Everybody needs a big 300-pounder that can move with the twitch, the burst, the explosion I bring into play. Everyone needed that as part of their defense.”