'22 TX DT Bear Alexander (Signed to Georgia)

[Creebuzz]

FWiW, this is the standard Georgia take on Bear:

Bear is very committed...to not attend classes regularly...to half-azz practices and conditioning sessions...to being a locker room cancer.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

FWIW, this is the standard USC take on Bear:

Yep, Prime and Sapp really wanted him because of the raw talent and believed that if he chose to forego the NIL check and focus on developing and honing his craft that he could be an elite player.

 

[Creebuzz]

Yep, Prime and Sapp really wanted him because of the raw talent and believed that if he chose to forego the NIL check and focus on developing and honing his craft that he could be an elite player.

He definitely has the physical tools. No argument there.

My personal belief is anyone can have a bad outcome at one place and turn it around in a new environment. However, when it’s over and over again, the issue is the player.

It’s to a lesser degree, but it reminds me of the debate I had with #1 Pick last off-season on TE Aric Gilbert, which CU had expressed interest in as a reclamation project. I don’t believe Bear Alexander is as far gone as Gilbert, but I do believe he would be a net negative in the clubhouse. He was not well liked at either his Georgia or USC stops.

As you may recall, Gilbert went to Nebraska, never played, and was caught on video breaking into a store.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

He definitely has the physical tools. No argument there.

My personal belief is anyone can have a bad outcome at one place and turn it around in a new environment. However, when it’s over and over again, the issue is the player.

It’s to a lesser degree, but it reminds me of the debate I had with #1 Pick last off-season on TE Aric Gilbert, which CU had expressed interest in as a reclamation project. I don’t believe Bear Alexander is as far gone as Gilbert, but I do believe he would be a net negative in the clubhouse. He was not well liked at either his Georgia or USC stops.

As you may recall, Gilbert went to Nebraska, never played, and was caught on video breaking into a store.

Adding Bear to this 2024 team would have been one thing. He would have had Sapp and Lewis, plus Prime as strong leaders who have all btdt, but there was also very strong player leadership (who were every bit as talented if not more talented than Bear) with Shedeur, Cam, Travis, Bentley, NHG, Cokes, etc.

Adding him to the 2025 roster, with a lot of unknowns w/r/t player leadership had a chance to backfire, IMO.

 

[mattrob]

This is a case study of what's wrong with the current system. His path stunts development as a player and also gets in the way of academic progress or developing close mentors or deep friendships. It's basically selling off your future while still a teenager.

Yeah but dad got his cut, so they're happy

 

[GawainBuff]

Adding Bear to this 2024 team would have been one thing. He would have had Sapp and Lewis, plus Prime as strong leaders who have all btdt, but there was also very strong player leadership (who were every bit as talented if not more talented than Bear) with Shedeur, Cam, Travis, Bentley, NHG, Cokes, etc.

Adding him to the 2025 roster, with a lot of unknowns w/r/t player leadership had a chance to backfire, IMO.

I’m very ok with not bringing in a potential locker-room issue. This will be a unique year for HCP with no son playing for him. It’s a transition year. No time for locker-room issues.

 

[GRM]

Adding Bear to this 2024 team would have been one thing. He would have had Sapp and Lewis, plus Prime as strong leaders who have all btdt, but there was also very strong player leadership (who were every bit as talented if not more talented than Bear) with Shedeur, Cam, Travis, Bentley, NHG, Cokes, etc.

Adding him to the 2025 roster, with a lot of unknowns w/r/t player leadership had a chance to backfire, IMO.

Also, I think it is tougher for the bigger players to come in right away to the new school in great playing condition. As I recall, he basically sat out a season leaving SC in September. I know there are training programs like McChesneys where athletes can train, however they still miss all the daily reps and regiment that a football team environment provides. Practice is reps and competition. I'll be curious to see what he does in Oregon, they have so much talent that they can take a flyer here or there.