Bear Alexander pulls back the curtain on the root of his unique nickname

USC defensive lineman Bear Alexander fits his nickname well. Standing 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, he resembles the apex predator he is named after and will look to attack defenses with the same ferocity.

However, while one might think his size earned him the nickname, that isn’t the case. Alexander explained at the Trojans’ media day on Friday that it’s actually a name that has been passed down through the family.

“It was my dad’s nickname and I kind of just wanted to live his name through a different way,” he said. “I kind of just took on his nickname early.”

Alexander’s father, Tony Jones, also played on the defensive line in high school but never got the opportunity to play in college. Alexander, however, paved a different path for himself coming out of IMG Academy. He ranked as the No. 43 overall recruit in the 2022 class according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Alexander had several big-time Power 5 offers but ultimately committed to play for defending champion Georgia. However, he decided to transfer after only one season and quickly landed upon the Trojans one week later.

Alexander should have more of an opportunity to make an immediate impact in Los Angeles than if he had stayed in Athens. USC ranked just 106th in total defense this past season and loses Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Tuli Tuipulotu to the NFL.

That has opened up a spot on the defensive line, and Alexander received the advice he received from his father as he aims to fill that void.

“To just go out there and do it better than he did,” the defensive lineman said. “He had his shot and it didn’t work. So hopefully I have mine and it works.”

Alexander’s potential was on display last season with the Bulldogs. In just 163 defensive snaps, he recorded nine tackles (three for loss) and two sacks. That included two tackles for loss and a sack in the Bulldogs’ 65-7 victory in the national championship game against TCU.

With quarterback Caleb Williams returned to lead what should be one of the best offenses in the country, USC has a chance to compete for a title. A lot of that hinges on the defense getting better, but with Alexander and the other transfer additions this offseason, it should be much improved.

The Trojans kick off the 2023 season on Aug. 26 against San Jose State.