Safety Taylor Mays surprised most when he decided to return to USC for his senior season. The two-time All-American was a potential top-10 pick in the NFL draft.

Offensive lineman Jeff Byers and defensive back Josh Pinkard also could have opted for the NFL draft. The two instead returned to school after receiving a sixth year of eligibility, making them the only two remaining members from USC’s national title team in 2004.

They are three big reasons why Sporting News Magazine ranks USC’s secondary and offensive line the best units in the nation. (The magazine ranks the top five units at every position in its latest issue.)

The Trojans beat out Ohio State, Iowa, Rutgers and LSU for the top spot in the offensive line category.They ranked ahead of Florida, Cal, Oregon and Tennessee at defensive back.

“You don’t think we’ve all heard about all the starters we’ve lost on defense?” Mays told SN. “We’ve got a lot to prove, a lot of motivation. And it starts with us in the secondary.”

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: It’s never too early for …
• USC basketball: Trojans reportedly after Theus, Carlesimo, Shaw
• USC basketball: So how bad can it get, really?
• USC football: Former Trojan lineman Belotti dies
• USC football: Neuheisel ‘ticked off’ at Carroll
• USC basketball: Another recruit leaves
• USC basketball: Dixon speaks, sort of
• USC football: ‘Coach Bates is not scared to call plays’
• USC Football: Trojan AD Mike Garrett’s complete statement
• USC Football: Sr. VP Todd Dickey’s complete statement

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