When he was in the second or third grade living in Johnston, Iowa, Reid Sinnett slipped into a Dallas Clark Indianapolis Colts jersey, headed to the backyard and tossed the football to himself, pretending he was playing in the Super Bowl.
 
For Michael Bandy, the setting was outside Los Angeles, in La Mirada. He played running back in Pop Warner, read a book about Marcus Allen, so his jersey number was 32, and like Sinnett, he dreamed of an NFL career.
 
Sinnett and Bandy completed their University of San Diego careers last November. Bandy was a two-time All-American wide receiver. Sinnett bided his time, sat for four years behind Anthony Lawrence, then delivered on his promise, throwing for 3,528 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.
 
Now, they are doing all they can to make those childhood dreams come true.
 
Sinnett played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in January, was named a team captain and played well, completing 9-of-16 passes for 93 yards, plus rushing for 13 yards.
 
Bandy played in the Hula Bowl, caught one pass and fielded kickoff returns.
 
On the subject of those dreams now being within reach, Bandy said, "It's pretty crazy, pretty surreal, honestly. Two years ago, I had no idea any of this might come true."
 
"It's crazy," said Sinnett. "From where I was a year ago (heading into spring football, trying to win the starting quarterback job for the first time), it still hasn't quite set in."
 
Sinnett and Bandy were not only teammates, with Sinnett throwing passes, Bandy catching them and USD's offense a juggernaut that averaged 38.5 points. They're also roommates and best friends. On home games, they would wake up early in their rented home, look at each other and in unison cry, "Game Day!"
 
Sinnett has seen his stock rise since his four days of practice and playing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. He said his agent has told him he might be a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick, potentially selected as high as the fifth.
 
At the worst, he will almost certainly sign as a free agent and appear in an NFL training camp.
 
"He has all the tools," said San Diego head coach Dale Lindsey. "He's tall (6-foot-4), he can run (Sinnett scored six rushing touchdowns last season), he's got a good arm, and he's smart."
 
Bandy finished his career with 192 catches (fourth all-time at USD) for 3,294 yards (third) and 28 touchdowns (fifth). His odds of sticking with an NFL team may be longer than Sinnett's because of his 5-foot-9 stature.
 
Some have also questioned Bandy's speed. He admits his 40-yard time at USD's pro day in late March will be important.
 
"From what I've been told," said Bandy, "that's going to be the most important thing for me. People kind of doubt my speed. I just have to show up on pro day, get ready and show them I'm as fast as guys at the upper level."
 
Former USD cornerback/kick returner Jamal Agnew was a fifth round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 2017. He has scored four touchdowns with the Lions on kick returns and was named an All-Pro returner in 2017.
 
Ex-USD tight end Ross Dwelley made the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and now is a valuable special teams player and backup tight end for the 49ers, who play Kansas City in Super Bowl LIV on Sunday. Dwelley scored two touchdowns this season at tight end.
 
The successes by Agnew and Dwelley have increased the chances for players like Sinnett and Bandy getting looks from NFL scouts.
 
"I think we have more respect from NFL scouts than we do from Division I programs above us," said Lindsey. "I think a lot of (Division I schools) think this is club football. That we just practice on Thursday and play on Saturday. It's not like that. We do the same thing they do in the SEC schools and all the big-time schools."
 
Regarding the accomplishments by Agnew and Dwelley, Sinnett said, "Those guys set a path."
 
Lindsey, who played in the NFL for nine seasons, said one of the most important factors in landing an NFL job is finding a team where a player has the best opportunity.
 
"You have to hit the right spot," said Lindsey. "There was a time if you were a linebacker going to the New York Giants, that was not a place to go (The Giants were loaded with Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Carl Banks and Gary Reasons in the 1980s). You wanted to go to a place that didn't have good linebackers."
 
While Bandy might not have some measurables NFL teams look for, Lindsey said the wide receiver's toughness will play in his favor.
 
"Believe me," said Lindsey, "you'd have to do everything beyond the rules of football if you're going against him."
 
To make an NFL team, Bandy will almost certainly need to stand out on special teams, which he did at USD. He played the outside defender on punt teams, the player asked to beat a blocker or blockers off the line, sprint downfield and tackle the returner.
 
"I definitely want to make an impact on special teams," said Bandy.
 
Sinnett majored in Finance and earned his degree in December. Bandy is a Political Science major and attending school this semester. Both players are training to prepare themselves for the USD pro day and then will set their eyes on the 2020 NFL Draft, which will be on April 23-25 in Las Vegas.