It was the summer of 2013.
Michael Bandy had completed his freshman year at Servite High in Anaheim. Some 95 miles south at the University of San Diego, Kris Bryant had just capped one of college baseball's most historic individual seasons, crushing an NCAA-record 31 home runs, more than 223 of the nation's 296 Division I teams.
At that time, baseball represented Bandy's sport of choice, and just weeks after the Chicago Cubs made Bryant the second pick in the major league draft, Bandy attended a baseball camp at USD.Like Bryant, now a Cubs star, Bandy played third base.
"I saw (Fowler Park) and fell in love with it," said Bandy, who grew up in La Mirada. "I was hoping to play baseball at USD."
Just as he dreamed, Bandy has become a scholar-athlete at USD. But the sport the political science major longed to play atop Alcala Park changed. Bandy ditched the baseball glove for shoulder pads and a helmet.
After serving as a backup wide receiver his first two seasons at San Diego, Bandy has emerged as the latest in a long line of talented outside pass catchers. Through a 2-2 start, 1-0 in the Pioneer Football League, Bandy leads the Toreros in catches (31), yards receiving (525) and touchdowns (five).
Bandy had 8 catches for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns vs WNMU
To hear head coach
Dale Lindsey and co-offensive coordinator
Christian Taylor explain it, there's no secret to Bandy's success.
"I think he's trying to prove something," said Lindsey. "He's a little bit of an undersized guy that's very tough and physical. He will not back down from anybody."
Taylor is in his 11
th season coaching at the collegiate level, working primarily with wide receivers. He said Bandy has improved more than any receiver he has ever coached.
"We thought as a freshman he'd be a solid player, but by no means did we think he'd be this good his junior year," Taylor said. "He just works harder than anybody else."
Bandy scored twice against Stetson to open up PFL play
As a freshman in 2016, Bandy's contributions came primarily on special teams. As a backup wide receiver he caught four passes for 77 yards. Despite a broken thumb, sprained ankle and bruised kidney that caused him to miss four games last season, Bandy's role increased. He caught 25 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns.
With last year's leading wide receiver,
Justin Priest, having graduated, Bandy is now senior quarterback
Anthony Lawrence's favorite target.
At 5-feet-10, and a muscular 190 pounds, Bandy brings a distinct skill set to his position. He's fast, as evidenced that four of his touchdown catches measure 24, 50, 22 and 27 yards. And he's physical, able to beat press coverage off the line.
"I pride myself on being able to do everything as a receiver," Bandy said. "That starts with deep balls, short passes, making people miss after the catch. And I definitely like to get in there and block."
Bandy leads the Toreros with 31 catches, 525 yards and five TDs
As you would expect from a USD scholar-athlete, Bandy is smart, too. Coming out of Servite, Bandy was recruited by the Pac 12's USC as a preferred walk-on. Reading the athletic tea leaves, Bandy picked San Diego.
"I knew I wanted to actually play football (as opposed to being a backup)," Bandy said. "I knew I had a better chance of getting on the field early (at USD)."
When he's finished playing football, Bandy wants to become an attorney.
"I've always found love trying to find justice for those who can't defend themselves," he said.
On Sunday afternoon, the day after USD's league-opening 49-10 win over Stetson, the Toreros were loosening the sore muscles, running strides on the practice field. Except Bandy.
"He was the only guy running full speed through every run," said Lindsey. "Everyone else was doing as little as possible. Not Bandy. He's going to work his butt off all the time.
"Whoever hires him when he graduates will get a real good employee."
