Mark Saxon, Orange County Register

Two of USC’s best defensive players made surprisingly unequivocal statements about their future plans Tuesday. Junior linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing both said they were “100 percent” certain they will skip the NFL draft this spring and return for their senior seasons. Scout Inc. rates Maualuga the No. 19 overall draft prospect in the nation. Cushing generally is considered among the top few underclassmen at his position. Both players have until a few weeks after USC’s bowl game to make their final decisions, but both said the wait won’t be necessary… continue