Bear Alexander
Oregon#116 overallDraft Movement
Down 12 spots since Jun 8
Scouting Report
Bear Alexander is a 6'3", 302-pound 3-technique defensive tackle currently playing for Oregon, having previously played at Georgia and USC, making him a prospect now with his third collegiate program. A four-star recruit out of IMG Academy from Terrell, Texas, Alexander chose Georgia over Alabama and Texas A&M and contributed to Georgia's National Championship victory over TCU as a freshman, recording a sack in that game. After transferring to USC, he started 12 games and earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, and in his two-year career at Georgia and USC combined he accumulated 57 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Questions about his dedication followed him after he voluntarily left USC after just three games in 2024, but Oregon head coach Dan Lanning publicly vouched for his work ethic, telling reporters he puts in more film study and extra work than almost anybody in the program. The results have backed that up: observers noted in November 2025 that on a talented Oregon defensive front featuring multiple future NFL draft picks, Alexander has been the most dominant, an absolute load who is highly disruptive when operating at full tilt with the ability to reset the line of scrimmage as well as anyone in the 2026 draft class. Analysts identify Alexander as a very talented 3-technique whose speed is his calling card, with lightning-quick first-step explosiveness and solid hand usage, and note his speed-to-power conversion and leg drive rank among the best in the class at their peak. On film, Alexander controlled projected top-100 selection Kade Pieper on three or four plays against Iowa, and his heavy hands walked center Logan Jones into the pocket in pass protection. He entered the season among the top 10 draft-eligible defensive tackles in the 2026 class. He projects as a third-round pick with a consensus overall rank in the mid-80s. His primary concerns include consistency of effort and leverage, an occasional tendency to sell out rush lanes and lose ball-carrie
Strengths
- Lightning-quick first step that generates immediate penetration off the snap
- elite speed-to-power conversion with leg drive that ranks among the best in the 2026 class
- good array of finesse pass-rush moves in addition to power rush
- hands continue working through the rush to shed blockers and advance
- quick stack-and-shed ability in run defense
- demonstrated ability to control projected top-100 offensive linemen (dominated Kade Pieper multiple times vs. Iowa)
- heavy hands in pass protection, walked center Logan Jones into the pocket
- proven production against top-tier SEC and Pac-12 competition including a sack in the National Championship game
Weaknesses
- Consistency runs hot and cold, has not played at high level across all games
- can lose track of the ball in the backfield and overcommit to rush lane at the expense of run defense gap integrity
- struggles to hold the point of attack against powerful interior offensive linemen, notably had difficulty vs. Jackson Powers-Johnson
- pad level is inconsistent and still too high on some snaps
- pass-rush repertoire needs greater diversification beyond power and speed rush
- three-program transfer history including voluntarily leaving USC after three games in 2024 creates character and commitment questions for NFL teams
- lateral agility is average, limiting chase range outside the tackle box
NFL Comparison
Daviyon Nixon (Iowa, 2021 2nd round) - similar build and explosiveness as a 3-technique with high disruption upside; Joshua Farmer (Florida State) - comparable size and pass-rush profile; Simeon Barrow Jr. (Miami FL, 2025) - similar mock draft ranking trajectory
College Stats
2022 at Georgia (freshman): contributed to national championship run, recorded sack in CFP title game victory over TCU; 2023 at USC (sophomore): 12 games started, earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, led team with 4 QB hurries and 2 forced fumbles; combined Georgia/USC career: 57 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks; 2024 at USC: voluntarily left after 3 games; 2025 at Oregon (redshirt junior): 41 career college games, 1,449 career snaps; 2025 season sample (vs Iowa): 3 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 4 stops
College Market Value
Our model prices him at $995K on the open college market, built from production, pedigree, role and Oregon's program money. No credible deal has been reported for him this season.
Every P4 player priced, math public: College players & NIL · Roster spend
Measurables
Awards & Honors
National Champion (Georgia, 2022 CFP); All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention (USC, 2023); 4-star recruit (class of 2022); Top-5 draft-eligible DT to watch in 2026; Top-15 defensive lineman in the 2027 draft class; consensus overall rank in the mid-80s