Miami Hurricanes CB Trajan Bandy ready to be key nickel in NFL

After two years as a starting cornerback for the Miami Hurricanes and one as a key nickel back as a freshman in 2017, junior Trajan Bandy decided to take his talents to the next level and test the NFL.

Trajan Bandy was a key member of the Miami Hurricanes secondary for the past three seasons. Bandy joined the first-team in 2018 as the only new starter. In 2019 Bandy was the leader of an entirely new secondary as the only returning starter. Now he is ready to prove he can play in the NFL despite his size.

Bandy measured as the smallest cornerback at the NFL combine at a shade under 5’8. The leader on Miami each of the past two seasons with eight pass breakups in 2018 and nine in 2019, Bandy also had 29 tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks in 2019. Bandy is a humble player and model teammate.

Bandy fit in well in the secondary when he elevated to become the only new starter in 2018. This past season, Bandy became a mentor to sophomores Al Blades Jr. and D.J. Ivey who had to replace two-year starter Michael Jackson and to new starting safeties, sophomore Gurvan Hall and senior Robert Knowles.

Bandy is expected to be a slot/nickel CB in the NFL. In a conversation with The Athletic, Bandy spoke about studying film and his ability in the slot versus playing an outside CB. The maturity and work ethic Bandy possesses will serve him well at the next level. Bandy performed well at the NFL Combine running 4.5-seconds in the 40.

"I think I learn it from film, just watching film and watching guys at the top of their routes, what they like to do, type of tendencies (they have). That was something that I really focused on this year, to try to get better at. Without a doubt. I think I can play both, (outside) CB and in the nickel…I think I excel way more in the nickel."

Dan Wolken of USA Today called Bandy of on his 11 sleepers for the NFL Draft. Wolken acknowledged that being 5’8 will hurt Bandy in the draft. Height doesn’t necessarily have to be a hindrance at CB. Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green who was a four-time first-team All-Pro in the 1980s and 1990s is 5’9.

"DB – Trajan Bandy, Miami“The downside here is obvious. Not only is he pretty small for a cornerback at 5-foot-8, but he was criticized at Miami for lack of discipline in coverage and inconsistent tackling. Because of those issues, Bandy may not get drafted.However, his impact on a couple very good defenses at Miami is imprinted into my mind, as is the image of him strutting around with the Hurricanes’ famous turnover chain quite often in 2018 when he had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.Bandy didn’t have a great junior year, but the entire situation at Miami was kind of dysfunctional.”"

Bandy should be one of at least five and as many as eight former Miami Hurricanes selected on day three of the NFL Draft. Saturday should be a busy day for Manny Diaz and his staff keeping on eye on their players ready to move on to the next phase of their football careers. Bandy should have a shot at roster this fall.