Oregon used its considerable resources to bring back the entire defensive line, and that surprising wave started with Bear Alexander.
Granted, he was the most likely to stick around for another season. The lineman began at Georgia in 2022, transferred to USC for a couple years and played for Oregon in 2025. He’s been solid, not quite great, along the way.
The trend is undeniably positive, though.
Alexander, a top-50 prospect out of high school, flashed that upside with 50 tackles (6.5 for loss) last season. The 6’3″, 302-pounder showed off impressive power and served as a gap-plugging force on a talented front.
It’s plausible that Alexander, fellow D-tackle A’Mauri Washington and edge-rusher Matayo Uiagalelei could all be first-rounders in 2027.