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Report: Washington set to hire former USC star Taylor Mays as safeties coach

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•about 9 hours
USC assistant defensive backs coach Taylor Mays runs a drill during a fall camp practice with the Trojans
USC assistant defensive backs coach Taylor Mays runs a drill during a fall camp practice with the Trojans (Erik McKinney/WeAreSC)

Washington is reportedly set to hire former USC All-American safety Taylor Mays as the school’s new safeties coach, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Mays has spent the last three years on staff at USC, first as a defensive analyst and then as an assistant defensive backs coach.

His pedigree should certainly help on the recruiting trail. Mays was widely regarded as one of the top players in college football during his playing days.

Taylor Mays was tabbed a first-team All-American three times from 2007-09. He was named a second-team All-American in 2006 before that.

His longevity was part of the appeal. Mays stuck around when he was getting potential first-round NFL Draft talk, starting an additional 12 games during his senior season. He finished with 50 career starts in 51 games.

During that time, he was remarkably productive and consistent.

He finished with 276 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss, five interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 26 passes defended.

His high-water mark came in 2009, when Taylor Mays registered a career-high 96 tackles, an interception and four passes defended.

Washington loses WR transfer Johntay Cook

Johntay Cook and Washington are parting ways, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed. The former Texas wide receiver signed with the Huskies after entering the transfer portal.

Cook signed with UW on Jan. 7, which was 10 days after he announced his commitment out of the portal. He was on campus for approx. 48 hours before the decision was made to part ways, Nakos reported. Washington Athletics declined comment to On3 about the situation.

Cook spent two years at Texas before entering the transfer portal Dec. 9. This past season, he appeared in six games, totaling 137 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the program, Inside Texas’ Eric Nahlin reported. As a freshman in 2023, he appeared in eight receptions for 136 yards across 14 appearances for the Longhorns. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.