Taylor Mays returning for his senior season!

by Paragon SC on Jan 13, 2009 3:00 AM PST in USC Football Comment 18 comments

Hot of the presses from the Daily News...

USC coach Pete Carroll said Monday that All-American safety Taylor Mays, cornerback Josh Pinkard and tailback C.J. Gable would return next season.

All three were eligible for the NFL draft and considered turning pro following the Rose Bowl.

Mays, who is considered a top-20 pick, said after the Rose Bowl he was leaning toward going pro and was considered the most likely USC underclassman to depart.

"They are all returning," Carroll said.

In a sign that he would return, Mays just moved into an apartment with USC teammate Will Harris last weekend. Sources said he enjoyed college life and wanted to spend another year at USC before experiencing the demands of the NFL.

That is awesome news!

Pinkard has still not heard back from the NCAA about a sixth season but if he gets it the defense looks a whole lot different. The senior leadership will go a long way to stabilizing the transition and helping the young guys mature quicker.

Playing for Pete Carroll and USC is fun and a lot of these guys just don't want to walk away from that. Now all we need is Sanchez to stay and we will really be in great shape!

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Wow

I thought Mays was gone for sure. I hope it doesn’t backfire on him. Seems like the wrong financial move for him.

by frak on Jan 13, 2009 9:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

He'll be fine financially

His dad is like the vice president of Microsoft or something and he lives in a nice neighborhood in Seattle.

And another year will make his draft stock even better.

by sharpie20 on Jan 15, 2009 7:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Barring an injury, I agree

by frak on Jan 15, 2009 9:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe #1 that would be a great reward and would really set an example for student athletes!

Paul D. Kelley

by so.cal.native1952 on Jan 16, 2009 10:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well Mom won out, but remember he isn't like Matt L. 5th yr, he is a jr. so he will be involved while playing and not idle to hang out with in crowd.

Paul D. Kelley

by so.cal.native1952 on Jan 13, 2009 10:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

****!

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jan 13, 2009 11:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Insane

he was a top 20 lock. I’ve seen some doubters out there on him because they think he is all athleticism and no production but whatever I’m glad to have him back on the team.

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Jan 13, 2009 11:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I definitely thought he was gone. It’s very rare that you see a guy who was projected in the top 10 to stay. I’d have liked him to go. I don’t like going up against a freak athlete every single season.

Did Pinkard play any games in either of the 2 seasons he missed?

by ryebreadraz on Jan 13, 2009 3:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Pinkard

Blew out his knee in the opener against Idaho in 2006. He blew out the same knee before the 2007 season started so he didn’t play at all that year.

by frak on Jan 13, 2009 4:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

let's see...

If my memory serves, in the 2006 season, Pinkard blew out his knee in the 1st half of the 1st game against Arkansas. He redshirted the rest of the year. In 2007, he blew out the other knee in fall camp and never saw any game time. I truly thought this poor guy was snake bite and would never return to the playing field. I was happy to see him come back in 08’ and play so well. If people remember, Carroll said this guy was the most athletic player on the entire roster back in 05. Here’s hoping he gets granted a sixth year.

by RCollier27 on Jan 13, 2009 3:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If that's the case then I don't think he'll get a 6th year

The rule on getting a sixth year states that a player must miss 2 complete seasons due to injury. I remember there was a UCLA player a while back who applied for a 6th year and didn’t get it because he got hurt in the first game of one of his missed seasons. I can’t remember who it was. I believe a backup linebacker who also played special teams. The NCAA is unpredictable so maybe Pinkard will get it anyways.

by ryebreadraz on Jan 13, 2009 4:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs