USC Lands Two Offensive Linemen on Outland Trophy Watch List
USC’s offensive line is expected to be a strong group again this fall after it finished last season as one of the semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award. The Football Writers Association of America selected center Justin Dedich and guard Jarrett Kingston among the 91 players they named to the 2023 Outland Trophy Watch List.
The Outland Trophy has been awarded annually since 1946 to college football’s best interior lineman on either side of the ball. Despite USC’s rich history of both offensive and defensive linemen, just one Trojan has ever taken home the trophy. That was offensive tackle Ron Yary in 1967.
Nebraska leads the way with nine Outland Trophies in its history. Alabama has six, including winning three of the past seven years.
USC also placed two players on the 2022 Outland Trophy Watch List, in defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu and offensive guard Andrew Vorhees.
Dedich and Kingston are expected to be two leaders of the USC offensive line in 2023. Dedich takes over as the full-time starter at center following the departure of Brett Neilon. Kingston brings plenty of experience with him as a transfer from Washington State. He took over at right guard this spring and will almost assuredly man one of the two starting guard positions for the Trojans this fall.
It would not be surprising to see Jonah Monheim generate some momentum early in the year and perhaps get his name added to this list by midseason. What will be worth watching for the Trojans is whether a defensive lineman can do the same.
Other Names on the Outland Trophy Watch List
Michigan is the only program with four selections to the Outland Trophy Watch List. Wolverine center Olusegun Oluwatimi won the award last year.
Twelve Pac-12 players made the list, ranking the conference second behind only the SEC. Utah led the way for the Pac-12 with three selections, including the conference’s only defensive tackle in Junior Tafuna.
Arizona – OT Jordan Morgan and OT Jonah Savaiinaea
Notre Dame – OT Joe Alt and OT Blake Fisher
Utah – OG Keaton Bills, OT Sataoa Laumea and Tafuna
Washington – OT Troy Fautanu
Oregon – OT Josh Conerly Jr.
UCLA – C Duke Clemens
