Trajan Bandy leaning towards next Miami football player to leave early

Multiple reports this weekend by the media that covers the Miami football team have stated that junior cornerback Trajan Bandy will declare for the NFL Draft.

The first to report Junior cornerback Trajan Bandy’s impending departure was Miami football pregame analyst Brian Monroe of 790 the Ticket. While reporting the information about Bandy, Monroe indicated he felt it would be in the junior CBs best interest to return for his senior season.

If the reports prove true about Bandy deciding to give up his senior season with the Miami football team in 2020 he will become the third Hurricanes player to forego his final season of eligibility next year. Wide receiver Jeff Thomas and defensive end Jonathan Garvin announced their departures earlier this month.

Bandy has 29 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks and leads Miami with eight pass breakups this season. Losing Bandy would be a blow to the Hurricanes secondary with no defensive backs that have extensive experience beyond this season. The cornerbacks would likely be Al Blades Jr. and D.J. Ivey.

Blades had 27 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups this season. Ivey led Miami with three interceptions and finished with 24 tackles, two TFLs and one pass breakup. Behind them are freshman Christian Williams and Te’Cory Crouch. Marcus Clarke is the only CB Miami signed to a National Letter of Intent Wednesday.

WIthout having officially declared that he is leaving early for the NFL it appears that Bandy will play in the Independence Bowl game on Thursday against Louisiana Tech. Bandy is projected as a third day (rounds 4-7) pick in the NFL Draft at best. He runs the risk of leaving early and being undrafted.

Former Miami running back Joseph Yearby who led the Miami football team in rushing in 2015 left for the NFL following the 2016 season. Yearby went undrafted after being relegated to second string behind Mark Walton in Mark Richt’s first season as the Hurricanes head coach.

The

Miami Herald

reported that Bandy is considering leaving for the NFL due to family health and financial issues. Bandy will have until January 24 to decide if he wants to leave for the NFL Draft or return for his senior season. At 5’9 186 pounds Bandy is going to have to prove he can play in the NFL at his height.

In three years with Miami, Bandy has played 38 games and recorded 90 tackles, nine TFLs, three sacks, 21 pass breakups, four fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and three interceptions. At this point in his career Bandy will be most remembered for the pick-six he had against Notre Dame in 2017.

Miami only signed one CB in the Category ’20 recruiting class. Three-star Marcus Clarke from Winter Park. At 5’11 Clarke gives Miami a bit more size than Bandy. The incoming freshman will have to bulk up from his current weight of 175 pounds. Clarke also gives Miami excellent speed with a 4.5 second time in the 40-yard dash.

There is still the potential that Miami could add another CB during the traditional National Signing Day in February or through the transfer portal. The Hurricanes are likely to add another CB and a few more offensive lineman during NSD and through the portal.