USC Football: Veteran Center Gearing Up For College Finale At Holiday Bowl

Sixth-year USC Trojans center Justin Dedich is prepping for his final game of college eligibility close to home.

Dedich, an alum of Chaparral High School in Temecula, a suburb of San Diego, will be back in town on Wednesday, for the club's Holiday Bowl matchup against the No. 16-ranked Louisville Cardinals.

As Bryce Miller of The San Diego Union-Tribune writes, Dedich is reveling in the fact that he'll be playing his final NCAA contest in Petco Park.

“Being able to get my family out there, it’s awesome in that sense,” Dedich remarked. “I don’t think the Padres were too good when I used to go, though. I just remember being in awe of the stadium, just falling in love with that. It was a great atmosphere.”

Dedich acknowledged that his age has been a source of rankling from his current teammates.

“People call me Grandpa,” said Dedich, who played at Chaparral High School in Temecula. “That one hurt. I’m not an old person by any means. But it’s all fun and games.”

“When I was young, I started at forward,” he said. “When I got bigger and chubbier, I ended up at goalie the last few years. Soccer was a great sport for me. It gave me a lot of athletic ability.”

Heading into the match, Lincoln Riley's club has lost five of its last six contests, and is currently 7-5 on the year.

“You’ve got to make the most of the cards you’re dealt,” Dedich said. “You never give up. You can’t lose hope. I just try to rally the guys to come out and have a great game. That’s all you can do.

"We’ll put our best foot forward (in San Diego).”

2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams has served as Dedich's teammate for two years. Dedich seems aware that his quarterback colleague is special, even though Williams won't be suiting up for the Holiday Bowl.

“It’s an honor to say I played with him the last two years,” Dedich said. “It’s been a privilege. He’s just a great dude, great leader. Definitely going to miss being with him. He’s one of a kind. He just has that QB awareness a lot of people don’t have. It’s very unique.

“I’m definitely going to be talking about him until I’m 60.”

Dedich ultimately reflected on the emotional weight of the moment.

“It’s definitely bittersweet,” Dedich said. “Sad to see it end, but also happy for new beginnings. I’m cherishing every rep I’m getting with this uniform on.”