Miami Football CB Trajan Bandy getting offseason recognition

Miami football cornerback Trajan Bandy had been getting a lot of recognition this offseason. He will step into a bigger role in 2018 with the departures of 2017 starting cornerback Dee Delaney and the injury forced retirement of Malek Young.

In a tweet by Pro Football Focus last week Bandy was recognized for his excellent play limiting yards after the catch. He allowed only 45 yards after the catch last season.

Twenty-four of those yards allowed came in wins over Duke and Notre Dame. Even in the Miami football team’s three losses to end last season Bandy allowed only a total of six yards.

Bandy was also recognized in a pair of articles. The Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller named Bandy Miami’s “One Hidden Gem on Each Top 10 College Football Team in 2018.” 

The article was even with five defensive players and five offensive players on each of their top ten teams. There were many players to chose from on the Miami Football team.

Miami is one of two ACC teams in the Bleacher Report top ten. Clemson is obviously the other. The article also went defense with the Tigers.  Freshmen Defensive end K.J. Henry was their representative.

Miller likens Bandy to Braxton Berrios last season. Berrios was an auxiliary part of the Miami offense before last season. He would set career highs across the board and led the Hurricanes in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last season.

Berrios also returned punts and Miller speculated that Bandy might handle those duties. Through the Hurricanes spring practices, DeeJay Dallas was the favorite to become the punter returner. Miller’s observations of Bandy were:

"“Get ready to see a lot of the turnover chain for a second straight season, as Miami is loaded with returning weapons on defense. Jaquan Johnson, Michael Jackson and Sheldrick Redwine combined for 10 interceptions and 14 passes broken up last season, and they’ll all be back as seniors in the secondary.It might be a sophomore who steals the show, though.Trajan Bandy is one of the top candidates for the starting cornerback job opposite Jackson. Bandy played in all 13 games with three starts as a true freshman. He only managed 25 total tackles, but he broke up six passes and had a pick-six in the statement, blowout win over Notre Dame.Because of the career-ending neck injury that Malek Young suffered in the Orange Bowl, Bandy should be headed for a significant uptick in playing time, regardless of whether he gets a starting job.Total speculation here, but don’t be surprised if this speedster factors into the punt return game, as well. With Braxton Berrios out of the picture, the ‘Canes need a replacement in that department.”"

The other shoutout to Bandy came from Wahoos247, the Virginia 247 site. The recognized Bandy as one of Seven Sophomores to Watch on ACC Defenses. 

Jamie Oakes who wrote the post ranks Bandy as the top-rated Sophomore defensive player in the ACC for 2018. He said:

"“1. Trajan Bandy | Miami | CornerbackPFF Grade: 78.7The Miami native and 247Sports Composite four-star appeared in all 13 games for his hometown Hurricanes as a freshman, including three starts. Bandy recording 25 tackles, 1.5 tackles for losses, six pass breakups, and returned an interception for a 65-yard touchdown. His freshman season at nickel back has Mark Richt excited about the future of the Hurricane’s secondary.”"

Bandy is likely to begin the season as a backup in a traditional defense. Miami Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz has been experimenting with a few different formations this Spring. Bandy will likely play the slot in the nickel.

Diaz also used a 4-2-5 defense this spring. In that formation, former safeties Derrick Smith and Romeo Finley and linebacker DeAndre Wilder would play a hybrid of defensive back and linebacker.

Diaz tried the new defense because Miami was without linebacker Zach McCloud for most of the Spring because of a hand injury. Bandy might have a chance to beat out Jhavonte Dean at cornerback. Because of his small size, Bandy is better suited for the slot. He is 5’9 180 pounds. Dean is 6’2 185.

Bandy was far more productive last season. Dean finished with just eight tackles, three assists and one pass breakup.

Next: Miami football CB Trajan bandy excelled in 2017 limiting YAC

Bandy is tough for his height and made the most of his time on the field last season. He’s about the same size as Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green. Green was 5’9 184 pounds and played 20 years in the NFL.