The deadline for underclassmen to declare for next spring’s NFL draft is Wednesday but USC defensive back Josh Shaw has decided to return to college for his final season, the school announced on Tuesday.
Shaw, a native of the Los Angeles area, originally signed with Florida back in 2010 then transferred to USC following his 2011 redshirt freshman season. Because of a hardship waiver, he was able to play immediately in 2012, though he really came into his own in 2013, finishing third on the team with 67 tackles and snagging four interceptions.
The versatile senior-to-be started at both corner and safety and enabled the Trojans to show a variety of looks in the secondary. With starting safety Dion Bailey heading to the draft early, Shaw could take over a starting spot at safety or return to corner in 2014.
Shaw’s return is good news for a roster that is already losing five underclassmen to the NFL.