Pros appear to outweigh cons for USC's Taylor Mays

This could be it for Taylor Mays.

USC's Rose Bowl game against Penn State on New Year's Day might be the junior safety's final game for the Trojans.

Mays acknowledges it. Teammates believe he may have no choice. Even Coach Pete Carroll, describing Mays' talent and work ethic, sounds as if he's preparing for the consensus All-American's early departure to the NFL.

"He's like a pro," Carroll says.

But will he soon become one?

It seemed like a fore- gone conclusion in August when Mays reported for training camp in the best shape of his life. A starter since the second game of his freshman season, Mays was among the most experienced players on what would become college football's most dominant defense.

"Before the season, I wanted to leave," he says. "Now it's 50-50."

Barring injury, however, it seems unlikely that Mays will return.

This is a player who seemed destined for early entry to the pros since he arrived at USC from Seattle in the summer of 2006.

There's the body, of course.

At 6 feet 3 and 230 pounds, Mays roams the secondary in a frame larger than his father Stafford, a former NFL defensive lineman.

Then there's the speed.

On a USC team that includes burners such as receiver Travon Patterson and tailback Joe McKnight, Mays is the Trojans' fastest player.

Finally, there is Carroll's philosophy regarding the draft: If a junior is projected as the top player at his position, and is mentally prepared and wants to make the jump to the pros, he should take advantage of the opportunity.

Mays, 20, appears qualified on all counts.

An NFL scout projects him as a first-round pick and says Mays will be the first safety chosen in the April draft if he opts to turn pro.

Actually, there might be a few reasons why he might stay.

The Trojans have fallen short of the Bowl Championship Series title game in each of Mays' three seasons. Mays also is close to graduating with a sociology degree.

And, according to Mays, there is plenty of room for improvement.

"There's things I need to work on," he says. "I don't know if it's at this level or the next level. I'll just do what Coach Carroll tells me."

Carroll was a Minnesota Vikings assistant in the late 1980s when Mays' father played for the team. Carroll also restored the winning atmosphere and competitive practices at USC that attracted Mays during a campus visit in 2005. And it was Carroll who visited Mays' home with other Trojans coaches to solidify a commitment Mays had made after also considering Michigan.