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Almost three months after USC coaches extended a scholarship to Justin Dedich, the interior lineman decided that being a Trojan was what he wanted.
"It was the right fit for me I feel like," Dedich told TrojanSports.com when asked about his commitment. "I had been praying about it with my family and I just new that this was the school. I fit in with Coach (Neil) Callaway, Coach (Clay) Helton. I like the school's size, how close it is to home. All those factors were there."
The 6-foot-2 and 280-pound center from Chaparral HS in Temecula, Calif. actually made this decision awhile ago. He just waited until Tuesday to make the public aware that he would go to USC.
"This was a couple days ago," Dedich said when asked when he finalized his USC commitment. "We had been talking about it and then I went up to the camp yesterday and I told them. I asked them to keep it down low until I could call the other coaches that had offered me and let them know my decision before it was out there publicly. And then I announced it."
After visiting campus and giving the coaches good news, Dedich could tell he made a decision the staff was hoping for.
"They seemed pretty happy about it," Dedich said when asked about the reaction of USC's staff. "I think I had told them before Liam (Douglass) had committed, so it was their first offensive line commit, but privately. So they were pretty ecstatic and I think Coach Callaway was pretty excited about it because we had been talking for a while now."
USC now has two commitments along the offensive line for 2018, both coming in the last 24 hours. And while Dedich isn't quite sure how many offensive linemen USC expects to take, he says he'll work to recruit others.
"I'm not entirely sure of the number," Dedich said. "It's four or something. But I know they have a couple of recruits and I want hit them up, see what's going on and get them on board."
Dedich will have an opportunity to recruit some of those prospects at the Opening, which starts later this month. From there, he's focused on his upcoming football season and then enrolling in college early.
"I believe I am," Dedich said when asked if he'll enroll in college early. "I have to do a couple online classes and do a couple things. I have it mostly figured out. I have to finish like two classes I believe online and then I should be good to go."
Just don't expect other schools to quit on Dedich between now and the end of the year. In fact, Dedich won't yet say he's done with other options.
"I'm not sure yet," Dedich said when asked about future visits to other colleges. "When I commit, I want to make sure my commitment is my commitment. I don't want to back down from my word. I'm probably done with it but who knows, you never know. I don't want to completely shut the door but I'm shutting the door."
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