Miami Hurricanes likely losing another starting junior on defense to the NFL Draft
Another Miami Hurricane underclassman is expected to leave the Hurricanes early to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Junior cornerback Trajan Bandy, often remembered for returning an interception 65 yards for a touchdown in UM’s 2017 victory over Notre Dame, is leaning strongly toward forgoing his senior season and turning pro, multiple sources told the Miami Herald.
Former Miami Hurricanes punter Brian Monroe, a host on 790 The Ticket, reported on Twitter that Bandy intends to turn pro.
Bandy would likely be a third-day NFL pick at best. He would join defensive end Jonathan Garvin and receiver Jeff Thomas, also juniors, in leaving the Canes a year early.
Garvin and Thomas will not participate in the bowl game. But Bandy is in Shreveport with the Hurricanes, who arrived Saturday to prepare for Louisiana Tech, Miami’s opponent in Thursday’s Independence Bowl.
It’s conceivable that Bandy could change his mind and return to UM if he plays poorly in the bowl game or coaches convince him to stay.
But a source said Bandy likely will turn pro because of family financial and health issues. He’s aware of the possibility he might go undrafted.
UM senior defensive end Trevon Hill and senior linebacker Michael Pinckney have already said they’re not participating in the bowl.
Listed on the roster as 5-9 and 190 pounds, Bandy was recruited as a consensus four-star prospect out of Miami Columbus High. He was rated by 247Sports.com as the 30th best cornerback in the nation as a prep senior.
Bandy had his best season last year as a sophomore, playing in all 13 games and amassing 36 tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, eight pass breakups and three interceptions. This season he has started all 12 games, with 29 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
His career numbers in 38 games over three seasons: 90 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, 21 pass breakups, four fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and three interceptions.
At cornerback, the Hurricanes also have sophomore Al Blades, who started the past five games; sophomore DJ Ivey, who started six games earlier this season and freshmen Te’Cory Couch and Christian Williams, who have both appeared in all 12 games while playing mostly on special teams.
UM signed one pure cornerback on Wednesday for its 2020 recruiting class -- three-star prospect Marcus Clarke, and also signed corner/safety Jalen Harrell, a four-star prospect from Hialeah Champagnat.
The Hurricanes on Friday offered a scholarship to Georgia-based three star cornerback Jamorri Colson, who intends to visit UM in January and also is considering Mississippi State and Georgia Southern, according to Canesport.
Should Bandy retain an agent, Miami would be lacking the experienced depth it needs at corner and could explore grad transfer options.
This story was originally published December 21, 2019 at 8:04 PM.
