LOS ANGELES — Rumors of the USC defense's demise in 2009 might be greatly exaggerated.

Despite the probability of being a first-round pick and the first safety off the board in April's NFL draft, All-American Taylor Mays announced Tuesday he will return for his senior season — giving a defense hit hard by graduation a major boost.

"Anytime you've got an experienced secondary, you've got a chance," new Trojans defensive coordinator Rocky Seto said.

USC loses six members of its starting front seven but could bring back as many as five defensive backs with ample starting experience.

The for-sure returnees are Mays, who started every game for the nation's top-ranked scoring defense; fellow safety Will Harris, who started five of the final six games in place of the injured and now departed Kevin Ellison; cornerback Kevin Thomas, who started twice and played regularly as part of a three-corner rotation; and cornerback Shareece Wright, who began 2008 as a starter before suffering a season-ending neck injury.

Senior Josh Pinkard, who started the final 11 games in place of Wright, plans to return to school if the NCAA grants him a sixth year of eligibility. Pinkard still was awaiting a response Tuesday.

Mays — who was expected to shoot up draft boards because of his combination of size (6-3, 230) and speed (sub.-4.3-second 40-yard dash time) — surprised many with his decision to return. Seto, also USC's secondary coach, was not among them.

"He based this decision on what he wanted to do — he was true to his heart," Seto said. "It's easy to get caught up in what outsiders tell you to do. It was neat to see how he was able to maintain what was important to him."

Mays said he wanted to improve as a player and leader and didn't want to give up the fun of being in college, despite the prospect of signing a seven-figure contract.

"It's tough," he said. "I'm 20 years old. To have a million dollars when you're 20 is a big temptation. I tried to make a mature decision. Hopefully I'll look back one day as this being the best thing for me to do."

Quarterback Mark Sanchez remained undecided about the draft as of Tuesday, said his father, Nick. The deadline to declare is Thursday.

COACHING CHANGE

Defensive line coach David Watson confirmed he is leaving the USC staff to make room for Brian Schneider, who will coach the Trojans' special teams.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the hiring of Schneider, who had been the Oakland Raiders' special teams coordinator. USC did not have a full-time special teams coach this past season.

Watson said he had no hard feelings about the situation.

"I absolutely love 'SC and Coach (Pete) Carroll. It's an awesome place," he said. "But at the end of the day, I've got to look for the best opportunity for my family and my career."

SCOGGINS DIES

Eric Scoggins, 49, a member of USC's 1978 national championship team, died Friday of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Scoggins was a four-year letterman (1977-80) as an outside linebacker, recording 164 career tackles.

The the inaugural "Champions for Hope" gala will go on as previously planned March 14. The event will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the '78 team with the goal of raising funds for ALS research.

NOTE

USC receiver Patrick Turner received a late invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he joins fellow Trojans Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, Rey Maualuga, Fili Moala and Kyle Moore.

With six participants, USC has the largest representation of any school for the second consecutive year.