2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

47 - TAYLOR MAYS
Safety Southern California Seattle, Wash.
Year: 6 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 236 Born: 2/7/88
Draft: ’10, R2 (49)-SF Acquired: FA ‘15
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Signed by the Detroit Lions as a free agent to a one-year contract on June 22, 2015.
‣ ¾ Signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an unrestricted free agent on March 24, 2015, waived on June 16, 2015.
‣ ¾ Traded by the San Francisco 49ers to the Cincinnati Bengals on August 23, 2011.
‣ ¾ Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round (49th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
PRO
A six-year veteran who brings experience to the Lions’ defensive core after spending four seasons with the Cincinnati
Bengals (2011-14). Played in 66 career games with 10 starts with the Bengals.
2014: Played in all 16 games including the Bengals playoff appearance in 2014. Collected two solo tackles and one assist,
finishing with two sacks on the year.
‣ ¾ Notched his first career sack vs. Denver (12/22), resulting in a six yard loss and garnered the second sack vs. Kansas
City (12/28). In addition, collected two quarterback hurries and one tackle for loss.
‣ ¾ In postseason play, recorded two special teams tackles in the playoff loss at Indianapolis (1/4/15).
2013: Appeared in eight games with one start in Cincinnati, was placed on Reserve/Injured list (10/30), due to a shoulder
injury vs. Jets (10/27). Tallied 11 tackles (five solo) in eight games.
‣ ¾ Had two tackles on defense and recovered a muffed kickoff return by WR Jeremy Ross at the Packers 2-yard line in first
quarter, setting up a touchdown for a 14-0 Cincinnati lead vs. Green Bay (9/22)
‣ ¾ At Cleveland (9/29) started at free safety in place of injured S Reggie Nelson. Made four tackles, including a third- down
stop that forced a punt.
‣ ¾ Had two tackles vs. New England (10/6).
‣ ¾ Made two tackles at Buffalo (2/13).
‣ ¾ Made a season-high five tackles with two passes defenses at Detroit (10/20).
2012: Played in all 16 games with three starts. Tallied 21 tackles, with five tackles and one fumble recovery on special teams.
‣ ¾ Tied for team lead in special teams tackles with two vs. Cleveland (9/16).
‣ ¾ Recorded five tackles at Jacksonville (9/30).
‣ ¾ Tied for special teams lead with two tackles vs. Oakland (11/25).
‣ ¾ Set up a touchdown drive at Philadelphia (12/13) by recovering a muffed kickoff in the fourth quarter.
‣ ¾ Had five tackles vs. Baltimore (12/30).
‣ ¾ Garnered one tackle in postseason action at Houston (1/5/13).
2011: In his first season with the Bengals, saw action in 10 games, tallied six tackles and eight tackles on special teams.
‣ ¾ In Bengals debut vs. Indianapolis (10/16), had a crucial block on Brandon Tate’s 33-yard punt return that set up a
touchdown.
‣ ¾ Tied for team lead with two special teams tackles at Seattle (10/30).
‣ ¾ Saw significant playing time at Pittsburgh (12/4) and collected three tackles on defense and one on special teams.
2010: In his rookie season at San Francisco, played in all 16 games and earned six starts. Finished with a career best 31
tackles and added two passes defenses, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble.
‣ ¾ Earned first NFL start at Atlanta (10/3), recovered a punt blocked by WR Dominique Zeigler for a touchdown, the only
special teams touchdown of the season for the 49ers and recorded a career-high 11 tackles (nine solo).
‣ ¾ Returned a blocked punt for a touchdown for the first time since 1987.
‣ ¾ Forced a fumble in win vs. Oakland (10/17).
COLLEGE
Played a critical role on the Trojans defense from 2007-10. Appeared in 51 games with 50 starts.
2009: As a senior, led the team with 96 tackles and was second in the Pac-10.
‣ ¾ As a crucial team leader, earned First Team All-America Honors from Walter Camp Foundation and second team honors
from the Associated Press.
2008: As a junior received multiple First Team All-America Honors when USC led the nation in pass defenses (134.4 yards
per game)
PERSONAL
Attended O’Dea (Wash.) High School where he was a four-year letterman.
‣ ¾ Earned First Team All-America Honors from Parade and USA Today as a senior.
‣ ¾ Made First Team All-State and All-Metro League Mountain Division Offensive MVP and Defensive Co-MVP as a senior
DB, WR and QB.
‣ ¾ Was a two-time class 3-A track and field state champion in the 100 and 200 meters.
DETROIT LIONS
PLAYER PROFILES