By the time Oregon wrapped up its final practice ahead of its College Football Playoff first-round matchup against James Madison, Bear Alexander had already made one of the biggest calls of his college career. The Ducks’ standout defensive lineman isn’t heading to the NFL just yet - instead, he’s coming back to Eugene for one more ride in 2026.
And this wasn’t a last-minute, postseason-hype decision. Alexander made his intentions clear back in early December, well before the Ducks began their playoff push.
For him, it wasn’t about headlines or draft stock. It was about clarity.
About ownership. About knowing he’s finally where he’s supposed to be.
“Just the development here at Oregon,” Alexander said. “Being with Coach Lanning and the staff, I learned a lot. So just coming up for another year, maturing more, and just learning, getting that last year under my belt.”
That maturity he’s talking about? It’s been earned.
Alexander’s college journey has taken him across the country - from Georgia to USC to Oregon - and it’s in Eugene where everything has finally clicked. The former blue-chip recruit has put together the most complete season of his career in 2025, and he’s doing it as a tone-setter in the middle of the Ducks’ defensive front.
The numbers back it up: 49 total tackles, 18 solo stops, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, two fumble recoveries, five quarterback hurries, and a pass breakup. He’s played 510 snaps this season - the most of any Oregon interior lineman - and Pro Football Focus gives him a 74.0 overall defensive grade. That’s the seventh-highest on a deep Oregon defense among players with at least 200 snaps.
But it’s not just about the stats. It’s the consistency.
The presence. The way opposing offenses have to plan for him on every down.
That kind of impact wasn’t always there earlier in his career.
Alexander arrived at Georgia as one of the top defensive prospects in the country, but never quite found his footing in Athens. A transfer to USC followed, but injuries and inconsistency limited him again - he played in just three games in 2024 before redshirting and entering the portal once more.
Then came Oregon. And with it, a fresh start.
Under Dan Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, Alexander has found more than just playing time - he’s found a role that fits. Oregon’s defense is built on depth, physicality, and letting its big men up front play fast.
That’s exactly what Alexander needed. The scheme has allowed him to simplify his game, trust his instincts, and attack.
And the results have been hard to miss.
NFL scouts have taken notice. If Alexander had declared for the draft now, projections had him somewhere between the second and fourth rounds.
But both Alexander and the Oregon coaching staff believe that ceiling can rise even higher. There’s more polish to add, more leadership to embrace, and more dominance to unlock.
That’s what made his early decision to return so significant. Rather than let speculation swirl during Oregon’s playoff run, Alexander wanted to set the tone - for himself, for his teammates, and for a program he now considers home.
“You know one thing that’s clear to me, man, is there’s no development at the second level,” Alexander said. “So just making sure we locked in, and we getting every resource, using every tool here at Oregon while we’re here.”
That’s the mindset of a player who’s not just chasing the next step, but building toward it the right way.
For Oregon, Alexander’s return is massive. He’s not just a productive interior defender - he’s a veteran presence who’s seen the highs and lows of college football and come out stronger. His decision to stay speaks volumes about the culture Lanning is building in Eugene, one that prioritizes development, continuity, and buying into the process.
And for Bear Alexander, it’s about finishing what he started. Not just with a strong season - but with a full-circle moment as a leader, a disruptor, and a cornerstone for a Ducks defense that’s looking to take the next step in 2026.