USC's Profile for Taylor Mays

4 year starter who has garnered many All American honors. All 1st team Pac 10 in 09. 48 solos, 48 assists, 1 INT, 1 FR in 09. Senior Bowl invitee. Measurements - arm: 33.75" hand: 10.13 Notes: Large, cut upper body, strong lean, winner of the DB swimsuit competition.

Outstanding size with speed. Likes to come up and hit and will deliver a knockout punch. Can separate defender from the ball with his force. Should really shine at the Combine with speed/strength/explosion numbers. Is able to stay deeper than the deepest.

Needs to be more of a wrap up tackler than a hitter. Needs to put it all together as he is very raw and needs to play with better discipline. Can get juked by defenders and needs to stay within himself. Often times goes for the big play instead of making the sure play. More athlete than football player.

Closing strong JR and SR year campaigns and has a good chance to ascend up draft boards with a weak safety class coming out. Also has the measurables that teams want. 1st rd.

User: MrShokner
Date/Time: 04/15/2010 - 7:49AM CDT
Predicted Round: Round 2

High-profile mistakes in coverage and shoddy open-field tackling raised questions about how the All-American fits in the NFL. A high 2nd round pick.

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User: footballcoach4jesus
Date/Time: 03/21/2010 - 11:44PM CDT
Predicted Round: Round 2

Disappointed as a senior. Lacks range and instincts slipped off. Reaction as a result slipped. Can be a good SS, but I wouldn't touch him in the 1st.

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User: KapnKronque
Date/Time: 02/24/2010 - 6:39PM CST
Predicted Round: Round 1

I agree with MeanJoeGreen75. There are definite flashes of Sean Taylor in Taylor Mays, that is the first thing I thought when reading about him. I don't see him being quite as good in coverage, but he definitely won't be Roy Williams. I see him more along the lines of Ken Hamilin, with slightly better coverage ability, a harder hitter, but less consistency in finishing the tackle. Regardless, Taylor Mays will be an NFL starter for a long time. Give him 2-3 years and he will be a consistent Pro Bowler on the right team. If he falls, Dallas will grab him.

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User: timb2
Date/Time: 02/17/2010 - 6:15AM CST
Predicted Round: Round 1

He will be a good one.I believe some sportswriters want to talk bad about him because they want him to drop to their team.

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User: Izzy Great
Date/Time: 01/9/2010 - 6:02PM CST
Predicted Round: Round 1

he's going to be scary running to the line of scrimmage at full speed. let me ask u a question. would u want to carry the ball? plus he's a ballhawk

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User: vicdemize
Date/Time: 12/9/2009 - 11:57AM CST
Predicted Round: Round 2

USC has had more defensive players enter the NFL than anyone in the last 30 yrs. Lott and Polamalu are two of the best I've ever seen play. Mays is not in their class. He may have all the measurables but they can't disguise him multiple flaws. He is a hitter but not a sure tackler. He is blow average in coverage at best. NFL safties need to disguise their coverages and USC plays him so deep He looks like he's returning a punt. The reason they do that is because he is a liability in coverage. Maybe the Raiders take him in the first round but I see round2 all over Mays. Malaluga was a better prospect and went in the 3rd round.

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User: NinerFan85
Date/Time: 12/8/2009 - 11:27PM CST
Predicted Round: Round 2

No way Mays is an NFL FS. If anything, he's Roy Williams. Could have some success in the box but I don't think he'll be good enough in coverage in the NFL.

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User: bigk
Date/Time: 10/30/2009 - 12:21PM CDT
Predicted Round: Round 2

frist pick of 2rd

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User: 72beastgc
Date/Time: 10/22/2009 - 11:39AM CDT
Predicted Round: Round 1

THIS GUY HAS IT ALL. SIZE, SPEED, POWER. I WOULD SAY THAT HE IS THE BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER IN THE DRAFT, BUT THERE IS ALSO ERIC BERRY. HE IS A DEFINITE FIRST-ROUNDER. I WISH CAROLINA COULD GET HIM.

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User: jwitosky
Date/Time: 09/30/2009 - 1:08PM CDT
Predicted Round: Round 1

Cleveland Browns make that 29 jersey available, it's the return of ERIC TURNER!!!

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User: MeanJoeGreene75
Date/Time: 07/27/2009 - 5:17PM CDT
Predicted Round: Round 1

Some team is going to see flashes of the late Sean Taylor in him and jump at the chance to get him

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User: BUFFALO BILL
Date/Time: 05/6/2009 - 10:40AM CDT
Predicted Round: Round 1

4 SURE

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User: Rotak
Date/Time: 11/6/2008 - 6:53AM CST
Predicted Round: Round 1

It is worth noting that his production is not spectacular for primarily one reason: There is not another safety in college football who lines up so far off the line of scrimmage. In watching standard television broadcasts, I almost never spotted Mays pre-snap. He would be so far back. Comparing his production to a guy like William Moore, who plays as much LB and Slot CB as DS, is absurd. That said, the one game I really scouted him I expected to see more speed than I did. But it was only one game and it was the first of the season against an opponent who stood no chance.

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User: ytse_jammer
Date/Time: 09/28/2008 - 6:05PM CDT
Predicted Round: Round 1

Outstanding measurables, but he often struggles with fundamentals like staying home, not letting WRs get behind him, finishing tackles instead of just running into guys real fast. Kind of the Vernon Davis of safeties--if the football IQ ever clicks on, he'll live in the Pro Bowl. If not, he's a physical freak who lucks into being an average starter.

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User: cogan
Date/Time: 08/28/2008 - 8:46AM CDT
Predicted Round: Round 1

At 6-4, 230, & a 4.25 40, Mays has the best size/speed ratio in this year's draft. Has the size of a LB, with the speed of a CB, Mays can play any position in the secondary. He will be an instant difference maker in the NFL. Here's hoping the Cowboys do whatever it takes to grab this player in order to take their defense to a higher plane.

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Your Projected NFL Draft Round: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Undrafted

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