The USC Trojans have become accustomed to losing plenty of underclassmen to the NFL draft year in and year out, although this year may not feature as many juniors ready for the next level.
One of those juniors sending shockwaves throughout NFL draft-boards is junior free safety Taylor Mays, who will apply for an early evaluation from the NFL.
The junior defensive back said he will follow the advice of USC head coach Pete Carroll, whether he is informed to stay for a senior year or dart for the NFL draft.
Carroll will sit down and talk with Taylor’s father, Stafford Mays this week to discuss what ultimately might be best for his son.
“I’ve planned to meet with his (Taylor Mays) dad,” said Carroll of Mays’ pro possibilities. “We’re old friends, and we’ll make sure we talk through everything. We’ll get more information on all of our guys.
“I told all of ours guys that are considering the thought of it (the NFL) at all to go ahead and apply to the NFL for their evaluations and use that as information.”
This process might seem out of the ordinary to many USC fans, although proven by example, Carroll believes that the information retained from the NFL is nothing but helpful.
Last year Carroll informed linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing to return for their senior season to improve their stock, a decision that will most likely pay big dividends for the seniors.
One player declaring early last year, Chilo Rachal, failed to receive an early evaluation from the NFL, something Carroll still harped on.
“I was disappointed last year that Chilo (Rachal) didn’t do that,” commented Carroll on the current San Francisco 49er. “We talked about it and he decided not to, and opted out of it.”
The information is not only beneficial to the players themselves, but also to the coaches, who seek for any way to improve their players as they head toward their ultimate goal.
“I just think it is one more piece to the puzzle,” he said of receiving an early NFL evaluation. “It’s not the end-all information. It is what you can do so you should do it, because it will help our guys understand what’s happening.”
Following the BCS selection show, the USC head coach stated that he wanted each of his players entertaining the thought to be completely content with their eventual decision.
“I want them (the players) to be very comfortable with their decision and what they’re doing,” Carroll said Sunday evening. “I don’t expect to see a lot of guys take off.
“We’ve proven the right way to do this, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t be right for some guys.”
One possible junior in current draft discussions is quarterback Mark Sanchez, who at the advice of Carroll, will turn in an application to the NFL.
“I asked him to,” said Carroll of Sanchez applying early for the NFL. “I think he should, and again he doesn’t have to do that. I don’t think it’s an indication that they’re going, I use the system to gather more information.
“I’m not afraid of that information at all, I think that’s important information for the players to know.”
The deadline for an early evaluation from the NFL is December 19th, and do not be surprised to see more then a couple of underclassmen to apply.
