Michael Bandy Bio
Michael Bandy (born December 5, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver and punt returner for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of San Diego Toreros and has spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. After going unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Bandy has built his professional career through developmental leagues, practice squads, and short-term active-roster opportunities.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, Bandy has carved out a role as a reliable special teams contributor and depth receiver. His journey from a small college program to the NFL reflects persistence, position versatility, and steady development across multiple professional stops.
Early Life and Background
Michael Bandy was born on December 5, 1997, in La Mirada, California. Growing up in Southern California, he attended Servite High School, a well-known football program in Anaheim, California. The school has produced several Division I and professional football players, and Bandy developed his skills within that competitive environment.
At Servite, Bandy played wide receiver and earned recognition as a productive pass catcher. Although he was not heavily recruited by major college football programs, his performance at the high school level opened the door to continue his football career at the University of San Diego, an NCAA Division I FCS program.
Bandy’s early football experiences in California helped shape his understanding of route running, special teams, and competitive toughness. These formative years laid the groundwork for his transition to the college level and, eventually, the professional ranks.
Path to American Football
After high school, Michael Bandy committed to the University of San Diego, where he played for the San Diego Toreros for four seasons. During his college career, he emerged as one of the most productive wide receivers in program history. He finished his collegiate tenure with 192 receptions for 3,294 receiving yards and 28 receiving touchdowns.
Bandy also set an NCAA FCS record for the highest yards per reception average (minimum 10 receptions) at 32.4 yards per catch, highlighting his ability to generate explosive plays down the field. His size, speed, and big-play potential made him a notable prospect, even though he played outside the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Following his senior season, Bandy declared for the 2020 NFL Draft but went unselected. Undeterred, he signed with the TSL Conquerors of The Spring League, a developmental football league designed to give players another opportunity to showcase their skills to NFL scouts.
Michael Bandy Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
After going unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Michael Bandy joined the TSL Conquerors of The Spring League, where he played during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The Spring League provided Bandy with a platform to demonstrate his abilities in a competitive setting, and his performances helped him gain attention from NFL teams.
On June 18, 2021, Bandy signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was waived on August 16, 2021, but was re-signed four days later. Bandy was waived again on August 31, 2021, during final roster cuts and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was elevated to the active roster on December 26, 2021, for the team’s Week 16 game against the Houston Texans, making his NFL debut in that contest.
Los Angeles Chargers (2021–2022)
Bandy signed a reserve/future contract with the Los Angeles Chargers on January 11, 2022, securing his place with the organization heading into the new league year. During the 2022 training camp, he continued to compete for a roster spot at wide receiver and on special teams.
On August 30, 2022, Bandy was waived by the Chargers and signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on October 22, 2022, giving him another opportunity to contribute. His time with the Chargers allowed him to develop within an NFL environment and refine his skills as both a receiver and punt returner.
Houston Roughnecks (2023)
After becoming a free agent on March 15, 2023, Michael Bandy signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL on March 29, 2023. The XFL provided another professional platform for Bandy to showcase his abilities and stay active during the NFL offseason.
Bandy played in two games for the Roughnecks and caught five passes for 35 yards before being released from his contract on July 29, 2023. His brief XFL tenure kept him in playing shape and helped maintain his visibility for NFL opportunities.
Denver Broncos (2023–Present)
On July 28, 2023, Michael Bandy signed with the Denver Broncos. He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad. Bandy was promoted to the active roster on December 30, 2023, giving him another chance to contribute during the regular season.
On August 27, 2024, Bandy was waived by the Broncos and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On January 15, 2025, Bandy signed a futures contract with the Broncos. He was waived on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On November 2, 2025, Bandy was active for the Broncos’ game against the Houston Texans, recording one reception for 16 yards, his first reception in the NFL since 2022. He also served as the punt returner in that game. On November 6, 2025, Bandy was promoted to the active roster. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad on November 11, 2025. After being elevated from the practice squad for Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers, Bandy scored his first career touchdown.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Michael Bandy’s professional career came when he scored his first career NFL touchdown after being elevated from the practice squad for a Week 15 game against the Green Bay Packers. This milestone represented the culmination of years of perseverance through developmental leagues and practice squad promotions. His first NFL reception since 2022, a 16-yard catch against the Houston Texans, also marked a significant return to active play.
Michael Bandy Career Highlights
Michael Bandy’s professional career has been defined by steady progression through developmental leagues, practice squads, and brief active-roster stints. From The Spring League to the XFL and multiple NFL organizations, he has consistently used each opportunity to prove his value as a receiver and return specialist.
Other Wins & Performances
During his time with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL, Bandy recorded five receptions for 35 yards in two games. In the NFL, he has appeared in games for the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, contributing as a depth receiver and punt returner while continuing to develop his game at the highest level of professional football.
Michael Bandy Family
Personal Life
Michael Bandy was born and raised in La Mirada, California. He attended Servite High School in Anaheim before going on to play college football at the University of San Diego. His path from a small college program to the NFL underscores the determination that has defined his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of perseverance for Michael Bandy with the Denver Broncos. After signing a futures contract in January, he was waived in late August and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. His opportunity came on November 2, 2025, when he was active for the Broncos’ game against the Houston Texans, recording one reception for 16 yards and serving as the punt returner in place of an injured Marvin Mims.
Bandy was promoted to the active roster on November 6, 2025, before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad again on November 11. His elevation for the Week 15 game against the Green Bay Packers resulted in his first career NFL touchdown, a milestone that validated years of development and patience.
Looking ahead, Bandy continues to compete for a depth role on the Broncos’ active roster, with his versatility as a receiver and returner providing value on special teams. His 2025 campaign reflects the resilience required to sustain a long professional football career outside of a permanent starting role.