Miami Hurricanes Trajan Bandy NFL Combine smallest CB

Miami Hurricanes cornerback Trajan Bandy who measured as the smallest at his position at the NFL Combine has the goal of proving he is better than his height.

Trajan Bandy was the leader of a young Miami Hurricanes secondary in 2019. Bandy was the only returning starter from the top pass defense in the nation in 2018. After measuring 5’7 6/8 at the NFL Combine, Bandy hopes to excel in the weekend drills to show that his lack of height will not hinder him in the NFL.

Bandy’s numbers were a bit down from a productive sophomore season in 2018. The Miami native recorded 36 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, eight pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 2018. Bandy followed that up with three interceptions, three TFLs, three sacks, nine pass breakups.

Bandy could be a sleeper in the draft. Matt Miller of the Bleacher Report has Bandy as the 29th ranked cornerback. The production Bandy has as an NFL cornerback should be better than where Miller projects him to be selected. As an undersized CB, expect most of Bandy’s playing time in the NFL to be covering slot receivers.

Bandy is the type of player that just gets on the field and is productive. The four pass breakups Bandy had in limited playing time as a freshman in 2017 tied for third on the Miami Hurricanes. Bandy has led Miami in pass breakups in each of the last two seasons. Proving he can play on special teams will help Bandy in the NFL.

The most memorable moment of Bandy’s career with the Miami Hurricanes will be his pick-six just before halftime against Notre Dame in 2017. It was a magical night at Hard Rock Stadium in the second of consecutive games Miami played in the ABC Prime Time College Football Game at home.

Bandy was part of a Miami Hurricanes team that seemed to be back after defeating Virginia Tech and the Fighting Irish by a combined 69-18. The Manny Diaz defense was rolling and would continue to do so over at least the next two seasons. Miami was still a top 15 defense in 2019.

With Bandy in his first season as a starter in 2018, the Miami Hurricanes pass defense was dominant. Miami allowed 135.6 passing yards per game. That led the nation by over 10 yards per game than second-place Michigan. The lack of size Bandy has likely has him projected as a nickel corner in the NFL.