Countdown to kickoff is back! USC will kick off its 2026 football season on August 29 when the Trojans host San Jose State at the Coliseum. In this series, we will be counting down the days until the season opener by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number.
With two days to go, today we look at former USC All-American safety Taylor Mays.
Position: Safety
Years played at USC: 2006-2009
Career highlights: Mays had one of the most decorated careers of any player to ever suit up for the Trojans. A four-year starter at safety, he was named a first-team All-American in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Known for his hard hits, Mays finished his time in Cardinal and Gold with 276 total tackles, nine passes defended, five interceptions, and a forced fumble.
After USC: The San Francisco 49ers selected Mays in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He went on to play six seasons in the league with San Francisco, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Oakland Raiders, in addition to offseason stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Mays finished his NFL career with 89 total tackles, 11 passes defended, two fumbles recovered, one forced fumble, and one sack.
Since retiring from football, Mays has gotten into coaching. He served as a defensive analyst on Lincoln Riley’s USC staff from 2022-2024, before being named the safeties coach at Washington ahead of the 2025 season.
Mays is a member of the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans safety Taylor Mays
