Michael Fandel '26 Recruiting Profile

Hello, I am Mike Fandel. I attend Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Shawnee Kansas; my graduation year is 2026 and I work for the SMNW Cougars football team.

 I have been playing tackle football since 5^th grade. Before football there was baseball and soccer, but once I started playing football, I knew that was MY sport. Once I got to high school, the game changed and me “playing” changed to me “working”. The physicality, the mental aspect and the teamwork are all the components that I love. I work hard, listen to coaches and teammates on how to get better.  I am a team leader in that I support my teammates no matter what. Don’t get me wrong, there have been a few ugly games; but I don’t stop fighting and encouraging my teammates to keep grinding. Anything can happen to change the outcome and I want to work to make that happen. My motto, that I learned from my dad is, “The grass is greener where you water it”.  It all takes work; nothing or no one is good by accident. Don’t envy what someone has, work for YOURS.

My full name is Michael Fandel II, I prefer to be called Mike. I was named for my grandfather, who was a hard-working, honest, and respectful man. I remember that every day I need to live up to that name. My family is everything; I know that with them backing me that I can do whatever I am willing to work for. That is what my teammates and coaches are to me too, family. We work together, we struggle together, and we support each other.

My name is Mike Fandel, and I work for football.