Justin Dedich Announces Return to USC for 2023 Season
USC has some major holes to fill along its offensive line going into the 2023 season, but the Trojans officially filled one on Sunday. Veteran guard Justin Dedich announced he’ll return to USC next season and play center for the Trojans.
It’s not a huge surprise, but Dedich did say before the bowl game that he was considering all his options and he just completed his fifth season with the Trojans.
Dedich has primarily played guard throughout his USC career but stepped into the starting lineup at center to replace an injured Brett Neilon at various times in 2019, 2020 and 2022. He finished the Pac-12 championship game against Utah at center when Neilon suffered an injury and then started the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic there.
The 6-foot-2, 305-pound Dedich brings back plenty of experience, having played in 35 games with 20 starts in his career.
Dedich played left guard, right guard and center this season and the permanent move to center in 2023 is a welcome one for him.
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USC’s Offensive Line in 2023
USC loses three key veterans from its 2022 offensive line. Left guard Andrew Vorhees and center Brett Neilon — both All-Americans in 2022 — have exhausted their eligibility. And so too has offensive tackle Bobby Haskins, who came over from Virginia for one season.
Dedich gives the Trojans an answer at center in replacing Neilon. And USC has done well in the transfer portal so far this offseason. The Trojans landed two veterans in former Florida right tackle Michael Tarquin and former Washington State lineman Jarrett Kingston. Tarquin could slot in at right tackle and bump Jonah Monheim to right guard. Kingston could be a perfect replacement for Vorhees at left guard or battle to start at left tackle.
Tackles Courtland Ford and Mason Murphy are set to return, as is offensive guard Gino Quinones. All earned playing time this past season. This spring could be a pivotal one for Ford and Murphy as they compete for the left tackle position.
