Bandy accepts the challenge
CORAL GABLES — Miami Hurricanes junior cornerback Trajan Bandy looks around the secondary this fall camp, and he’s suddenly the elder statesman.
So with safeties Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine and opposite corner Michael Jackson no longer in Coral Gables, new UM defensive coordinator Blake Baker said he challenged Bandy, the only returning starter among defensive backs, to be more of a leader following spring drills. Baker likes what he has seen in that regard from the Miami Columbus High product.
“I think he’s risen up to that challenge,” said Baker following Sunday’s third practice of fall camp. “I think he’s been very positive, which our young guys need to see. He’s been out here making plays the first three days.”
Bandy has had to adjust with those added expectations of no longer just letting his on-field play do the talking but also having to do more talking with his teammates.
“It hasn’t really been hard, but I can say it’s been a challenge because I’m really not a loud guy,” said Bandy, who had 36 tackles and three interceptions as a sophomore last year. “It’s kind of a personality thing, UM junior cornerback Trajan Bandy is taking on a greater leadership role as the veteran in the secondary. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker has been using him at nickel in fall camp.
where you go in the room and you stand in front of them and you scream and talk and do all those types of things. I feel like I’m progressing at it. I feel like I’m getting better at it.”
Over three days of fall camp, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Bandy has been used significantly in the nickel with sophomores Al Blades Jr. and DJ Ivey working on the outside.
“I’ve been playing that position since my freshman year, so I’m comfortable with it, I know the ins and outs of it,” said Bandy, who had the highlight-reel first half pick-six against Notre Dame in 2017 playing the nickel. “I feel like coach wants to put me in that position just to
show the younger guys what to do just in case I have to come out. Right now, I’ve really been playing it and just locking it up.”
Baker mentioned Bandy first among players who he likes at nickel and also noted the early impression of freshman Te’Cory Couch out of ChaminadeMadonna.
“He’s really, really twitchy, really athletic, he’s got great feet and he’s fearless. He can run,” said Baker of Couch. “Guys that can run like that, I’m confident to play them in press man, so he’s a guy that can potentially slide in there.”
Said Bandy: “He catches on to the plays really quick. He goes out there and does everything right. He runs to the ball, makes a lot of plays. He’s been impressive to me.
“I feel like the young guys are catching on really well. We’ve been getting after it.”
With the motivational tactic of having Miami strength and conditioning coach David Feeley do 10 push-ups every time a player hits 20 mph as they’re being tracked in practice, Bandy says the cornerbacks are contributing plenty to Feeley’s chest workout. Bandy reports that all cornerbacks can run 20 mph and that he and Blades hit 22.
With more leadership being exhibited ahead of his junior season, Bandy also wants to approach big games with greater composure. He said he doesn’t want to go in too excited for the Hurricanes’ big opener against Florida in Orlando on Aug. 24 and notes bad past experiences with a first-quarter injury against Clemson in the ACC Championship Game as a freshman and getting ejected in last year’s opener against LSU.
“I really don’t want to get too excited for it because it seems like every time I get so excited for a game, always something happens,” he said. “Even since that Clemson game my freshman year, going down with an injury. Then LSU game coming back, head-on-head [hit] getting kicked out of the game. I really want to go into this game composed.” 4 Charge It Jenn (A.Jimenez) 7 Prickly Kitten (R.Gutierrez) 12 Rosa Star (J.Rendon) Off 1:21. Time 1:43.88. Firm. Antonella.
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