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Oregon DL Bear Alexander announces plans to return for 2026 season

by: Alex Byington2 hours ago_AlexByington

Oregon junior defensive tackle Bear Alexander announced he will return to Eugene for the 2026 season rather than enter the 2026 NFL Draft in a social media post Friday night. Alexander spent the 2025 season with the Ducks after transferring from USC last December.

“This isn’t just football — this is healing, I have grown TREMENDOUSLY in my short time in Eugene,” Alexander wrote Friday evening in his social media post. “And I can’t wait to see me as a finished product NEXT YEAR. (wink emoji) LETS RUN IT BACK DUCKS FAMILY”

Alexander’s post also included a video message as well as a longer written version of his message to Oregon fans:

“I prayed for this moment, grateful beyond words to be back on the field,” Alexander’s message read. “Every doubt, every setback, every day led me back here. I am truly thankful for my staff’s commitment to my growth both personally and professionally. Stepping back onto this field felt like breathing again, and I’m forever grateful. Being away from the game last year was tough. I really missed this more than I can explain. Thankful for the stength, support, and grace that brought me back to this point in my life with all my dreams within reach.”

The 6-foot-3, 302-pound Alexander has bounced around much of his college career, which began at Georgia in 2022, where he helped the Bulldogs win the second of back-to-back national championships. But following a breakout freshman season in Athens, Alexander surprised many when he hit the NCAA Transfer Portal during Georgia’s 2023 Spring practice and signed with USC in April 2023, playing a full season in Los Angeles before opting out of much of the 2024 season.

Unhappy with his playing time at USC, Alexander appeared in the Trojans’ first three games of the 2024 season before his family anounced he’d sit out USC’s remaining games before re-entering the transfer portal in early December 2024. This season in Eugene, Alexander has appeared in all 12 regular-season games for the Ducks, tallying 45 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and a half-sack, as well as finishing tied for the team lead with five quarterback hurries.

Alexander’s decision to return makes Oregon head coach Dan Lanning‘s preseason prediction that the former Bulldogs and Trojans transfer had found a home in Eugene.

“You know, I think he felt really comfortable coming here,” Lanning said in late July. “Knowing that what it was like in Georgia, and how can he recreate some of that experience coming to a place like Oregon, the relationship there certainly mattered. I’m excited to see what Bear does. He’s worked his tail off since he’s been here. He’s been, you know, a pleasure to coach. He’s going to have some up-and-down moments, like every player in our program will when they get here. But, so far, I’m really pleased with what I’ve seen from Bear. I’m excited to see what he’s able to do out there on the field for us this year.”

— On3’s Dan Morrison contributed to this report.