2009: The hard-hitting Mays, a 2-time All-American first teamer who is a leading candidate for the Thorpe Award, returns for his fourth season as the starting free safety as a senior in 2009.

2008: While starting all 13 games, he had 53 tackles, including 2 for losses of 7 yards, and a team-high 9 deflections. He was named a 2008 consensus All-American first teamer, made the 2008 All-Pac-10 first team, and won USC's Bob Chandler Award. He had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle prior to 2008 spring practice.

2007: While starting all 13 games, he had 65 tackles (third on USC), 1 interception, 6 deflections, 1 fumble recovery and 1 forced fumble.

2006: Just a first-year freshman, Mays took over the free safety job in 2006 after Josh Pinkard suffered a season-ending injury in the opener and he ended up starting USC's final 12 games. While appearing in all 13 games, he had 62 tackles, a team-best 3 interceptions that he returned 40 yards (13.3 avg.) and 3 deflections.

PERSONAL: Sociology major ... His father, Stafford Mays, was a defensive lineman who played in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals (1980-86) and Minnesota Vikings (1987-88).