What does Bear Alexander's potential transfer mean for the USC defense?

Alexander hasn't had the most prolific college career so far, but was a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school in 2022, and there's hope that he could live up to the potential his athletic gifts would suggest as he gains experience. 

USC's defense was already a hot-button discussion topic last season, as its poor performance cost the team the chance to compete at a high level with Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams at the helm. The Trojans finished the regular season with just a 7-5 record, as the defense gave up nearly 35 points per game and ranked 108th in the country in expected points added.

The hope and expectation around the program is that the defense will take a step up after parting ways with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and replacing him with D'Anton Lynn, but losing Alexander certainly isn't going to help. 

As rough as the defense was last year, the front seven did have some talent, but plenty of key contributors will no longer be in the building, most notably edge rusher Solomon Byrd.

If Alexander does in fact leave, edge rusher Jamil Muhammad would be the only returning starter on the defensive line. The inexperienced Elijah Hughes would likely see a much larger role than previously expected if Alexander leaves the Trojans, and the diminished depth as a result of moving him into the starting lineup would provide Lynn with yet another challenge as he looks to turn around the unit.