Canal Street Chronicles, a New Orleans Saints community

"I feel more confident. Looking back, you kind of see it from the outside looking in. I’m more experienced and playing with a lot more confidence rather than just running around and relying on athletic ability.

Now that I’m here, I’m really happy. I feel good on a day-to-day basis with the calls and doing what Zim wants me to do. That was the biggest thing, playing defense the way he wants me to play.

I feel a lot better physically, but more mentally, which is a lot more important. Because putting together the mental part means you can let the physical take over." - Taylor Mays, third week of August 2012.

All-American safety Taylor Mays has decided to return to Southern California for his senior season rather than turn pro.

"There are a lot more things I want to accomplish as a player, a student and a person, things that I've dreamed about for a long time and that are big goals to me," Mays said in a statement issued by the school Tuesday. "Returning to USC will help me be the best player I can be and put me in the best position possible for the next level."