Taylor Mays - Career Overview

Date of Birth: February 7, 1988
Position: Free Safety (FS)
College: University of Southern California (USC)

Career History

• San Francisco 49ers (2010-2011)
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (49th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
  • Played primarily as a safety during his time with the 49ers.
  • Registered 20 tackles and 1 interception in his rookie season.
• Cincinnati Bengals (2011-2013)
  • Traded to the Bengals in 2011.
  • Contributed on special teams and as a backup safety.
  • Achieved a career-high of 30 tackles during the 2012 season.
• Oakland Raiders (2014-2015)
  • Signed with the Raiders in 2014, marking the final stop of his NFL career.
  • Played in a limited capacity, mainly contributing on special teams.

Highlights and Accomplishments

• Known for his exceptional speed and athleticism, Mays was a standout player at USC.
• Was a consensus All-American and earned First-Team All-Pac-10 honors during his college career.
• Participated in the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine, where he recorded impressive numbers, including a 4.24-second 40-yard dash, showcasing his elite speed.
• Despite a promising start, Mays struggled to find consistent playing time in the NFL, transitioning from a first-round prospect to a journeyman player.

Post-NFL Career

• After retiring from professional football, Taylor Mays has expressed interest in coaching and mentoring young athletes.

Taylor Mays was known for his athletic prowess and was a highly regarded player coming out of USC. Despite facing challenges in translating his college success to the NFL, he made an impact on the teams he played for and remains a notable figure in discussions about speed and athleticism in football.