This was supposed to be the best of times for former San Diego quarterback Reid Sinnett and his favorite passing target, Michael Bandy.
 
Participate in USD's annual Pro Day workout for NFL scouts. Keep training on their own, throwing, catching. Lifting weights, speed drills. Wait for the NFL Draft. If not drafted, sign a free agent contract.
 
But instead, with the coronavirus pandemic altering the world and sheltering in place the new norm, Sinnett and Bandy are stuck at home, playing the waiting game.
 
First, USD's Pro Day, scheduled for March 26, was canceled.
 
"It was kind of shocking," said Sinnett, "and not exactly what we wanted to have happen."
 
"I was pretty bummed," said Bandy. "It was something I was looking forward to the last couple of years, especially the last couple of months. But it happened to a lot of people, not just me. I kind of roll with it and see what comes next."
 
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Sinnett and 5-10, 190-pound Bandy are coming off remarkable senior seasons. After sitting and waiting for four years as Anthony Lawrence's understudy, Sinnett completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,528 yards and 32 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. Quick on his feet, he rushed for 174 yards and six touchdowns.
 
Despite opponents scheming to stop him, often with double coverage, Bandy caught 75 passes for 1,152 yards and 12 touchdowns. He became the only receiver in San Diego history to compile back-to-back 1,100-yard receiving seasons, earning All-American recognition the past two years
 
Bandy's career numbers: 192 catches (tied for fourth all-time in school history), 3,294 yards (third all-time) and 28 receiving TDs (fifth all-time).
 
Since USD's 2019 season ended in the FCS Playoffs in late November, Sinnett and Bandy have been training in efforts to land NFL contracts. Both played in 2020 all-star games, Sinnett in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl and Bandy in the Hula Bowl in Honolulu.
 
Since California governor Gavin Newsom ordered shelter in place to stop the spread of coronavirus, Sinnett and Bandy have continued training. Bandy, in particular, has been lifting weights at home in his Brea garage.
 
They used to be roommates but Bandy moved back with his family.
 
Two other roommates also left, leaving Sinnett by himself in a three-bedroom house.
 
"It's kind of nice to have the freedom to do whatever," said Sinnett. "But also, I need some more human interaction in my life."
 
Sinnett has traveled to Huntington Beach to work out at 3DQB, which specializes in training quarterbacks in four specific areas: functional strength and conditioning; mechanic and motion analysis; mental approach; and nutrition.

Sinnett had a passing workout with Bandy and former teammate Michael Armstead videotaped. Sinnett's agent is forwarding the workout to NFL teams.
Sinnett and Bandy met about two weeks ago at an Orange County location. Bandy ran routes, Sinnett aimed spirals his direction.
 
But since that workout with Bandy, Sinnett has not done any throwing.
 
"The scouts are going to rely on my game tape," said Sinnett.
 
The NFL Draft is set for April 23-25. Sinnett might be a late-round pick. If they are not drafted, both players are expected to be signed by NFL teams as free agents.
 
Said Sinnett, "I will take any team that wears that NFL shield."
 
Because he took his final USD class last semester and was scheduled to graduate in May with a Finance degree, Sinnett has more free time than Bandy. Bandy is taking classes toward a political science degree via online classes.
 
To fill the hours, Sinnett has morphed into a movie buff. Wanting to catch former Oscar-winning and Oscar-nominated movies, Sinnett has watched "Platoon," "Parasite," "The King's Speech," the 1957 classic "Twelve Angry Men," "Birdman" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel." He watched old TV series he missed, like "The Wire."
  
Bandy caught season three of "Ozark." He's played a ton of video games, particularly Call of Duty.
 
"(Video games are) a good way to talk to teammates," he said.
 
He has passed hours playing board games with his family, particularly UNO.
 
"Mom," said Bandy, "she kicks our butts."
 
The NFL Draft is barely two weeks off. Drafted or not, Sinnett and Bandy will almost certainly sign NFL contracts. Then, they hope, life will return to some form of normalcy, they can go to camps with their respective dreams and pursue their dream of playing football for a living.
 
If the NFL does not work out, Bandy is determined to try the new XFL or the Canadian Football League.
 
"I love the game of football," he said. "I'm going to play as long, until my body won't let me."