USC offensive lineman Justin Dedich will return in 2023.

Dedich will slide inside to play center for the Trojans next season, in what will be his sixth with the program. It’s a changing of the guard on the offensive line. Brett Neilon manned the spot for four years, and with his departure, Dedich will look to keep things rolling. He was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection in 2022.

After four starts in 12 appearances to close out the 2021 season, Dedich stepped into a full-time starting role this past year.

He played in 13 of the Trojans’ 14 games, primarily starting at right guard until an injury to Neilon in the Pac-12 title game forced him over to center. It was the position he spent the majority of his time at during his first two years on campus.

As a pass-blocker last season, Dedich was viewed as one of the very best in the Pac-12. According to PFF, only Neilon had a higher pass-blocking grade in the conference than Dedich, who finished with a 90.0 grade.

Though USC is losing Neilon and left guard Andrew Vorhees, it is also bringing back several players who started at various points throughout the 2022 campaign. They include tackles Mason Murphy and Courtland Ford, tackle/guard Jonah Monheim, and guard Gino Quinones.

The Trojans also picked up transfer commitments from former Florida tackle Michael Tarquin and former Washington State tackle Jarrett Kingston.