Penn State is getting a visit from one of its biggestโ figuratively and literallyโ transfer portal targets thus far.
Thursday afternoon, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported that Bear Alexander, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle who previously played at Georgia and USC, will be visiting Penn State this weekend.
Former USC and Georgia defensive lineman Bear Alexander is expected to visit Penn State this weekend, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Alexander, a former top recruit who ranks as the third-best DL in the transfer portal, previously visited SMU. Oregon also in the mix here.โฆ pic.twitter.com/4uHH5rAuZg
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 12, 2024
Alexander left USC in interesting fashion.
After getting a decent amount of playing timeโ 68 snaps through three games this seasonโ Alexander took a redshirt on the rest of the season with plans to enter the transfer portal. He made those plans a reality in December. On3Sports reported Tuesday that Penn State is one of the top three schools in the mix for Alexander. The others are Oregon and SMU.
PENN STATE WANTS HIM
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Georgia Bulldogs Defensive Linemen Bear Alexander (99) tackles Ohio State Buckeyes Running Back Dallan Hayden (5) during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31, 2022, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire)
When Alexander first entered the transfer portal from Georgia in the spring of 2023, Penn State was one of his six finalists.
After that, he played a season plus in LA.
Alexander deciding to redshirt meant that he wasnโt available for USC when Penn State came to the Coliseum for an Oct. 12 showdown.
Penn State ended up winning that game 33-30 in an overtime thriller.
A POSITION OF NEED
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Deion Barnes
One of Penn State footballโs biggest needs of this transfer portal cycle is defensive tackle. Dvon J-Thomas (sixth-year) and Coziah Izzard (fifth-year) will be out of eligibility, and Zane Durant (third-year) has played well enough to where declaring for the NFL Draft is an option. So Penn State needs bodies, and a talented player like Alexander could help.
Penn State has its first-ever College Football Playoff game scheduled for noon Dec. 21 against SMU on TNT/MAX.
