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

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

'I mean, it's Lincoln Riley,' Alexander told ESPN.

While it is unusual for a player to transfer away from the reigning national champs, Alexander is joining a perceived title contender with a Heisman-winning quarterback in Caleb Williams – Riley's third pupil to win the award, dating back to the coach's tenure at 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.

'Just watching their production from last year, they lost two games, barely lost to Utah ... if Caleb [Williams] wasn't hurt, they would have definitely been in that,' Alexander said, adding that he is 'excited to go play for' Riley

Former Georgia defensive lineman Bear Alexander has transferred to USC

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

The 300-pound lineman was widely considered the top player still available in the transfer portal.

Alexander played on Georgia's line as a freshman last season, recording nine tackles and two sacks - including one in the Bulldogs' win over TCU in the national championship game at SoFi Stadium, several miles south of USC's campus.

He visited USC earlier this month, and the native Texan quickly agreed to join 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 shore up 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 snap during the USC spring game at the Memorial Coliseum on April 1

But Alexander appears to be Riley's biggest transfer-portal acquisition of the off-season.

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

The 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive tackle had nine tackles, including two sacks, for Georgia last season.

'Not to brag on myself, but everyone wants the Big Bear,' Alexander told ESPN. 'Everyone needs a big 300-pounder that can move with the twitch, the burst, the explosion that I bring to the game. Everyone needed that as a part of their defense.'