Jan. 9, 2006
University of Notre Dame senior tight end Anthony Fasano has decided to pass up his final year of eligibility and will make himself available for the 2006 National Football League Draft.
“After a lot of thought and consideration, I have decided to make myself eligible for selection in the upcoming NFL Draft and will not return to Notre Dame for a fifth season,” Fasano said. “This was not an easy decision for me to make. I was fortunate to have some of the best people in football to help me make this decision. The coaching staff at Notre Dame did a great job preparing me for the NFL. Coach Weis, the coaching staff, my professors and teammates have been a very positive influence in my personal growth on and off the field. While this ends my Notre Dame playing career, I know I will remain a member of the Fighting Irish football family for many years to come.”
Fasano, one of three finalists for the John Mackey Tight End Award in 2005, was third on the team with 47 catches for 576 yards (12.3-yard average) and two touchdowns in ’05, the second-best single-season receptions total ever produced by a Notre Dame tight end (Ken MacAfee had 54 catches in 1977). Fasano was one of four recipients of the Nick Pietrosante Award in ’05, given annually to players who best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and pride shown by the late Irish All-America fullback. Fasano finished his Notre Dame career with 92 catches for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns. For his career, he finished second on the career receptions list for tight ends (MacAfee leads with 128 from 1974-77) and ranks 11th on the overall Irish career receptions list. His 1,112 receiving yards ranks second by an Irish tight end (MacAfee had 1,759). Fasano is on track to graduate in May with a degree in Marketing from the Mendoza College of Business.
“Despite the fact that we’d love for Anthony to return, we also recognize that he has a great opportunity ahead of him,” said Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis. “Anthony has been a great asset to the Notre Dame football program over the last four years and he’s graduating this spring, leaving here with a Notre Dame degree. He’s meant a lot to this program and is going to be missed both on and off the field. We wish him the best with this decision and in all of his future endeavors.”
A native of Verona, NJ (Verona HS), Fasano played in 34 games for the Irish in his career with 24 starts, all over the span of the last three seasons. After not seeing action as a freshman in 2002, Fasano played in 11 games (starting three) and made 18 catches for 169 yards (9.4 avg.) and two touchdowns. As a junior in 2004, Fasano caught 27 passes for 367 yards (13.6 avg.) and four touchdowns. Fasano enjoyed the best statistical game of his career against Purdue in 2004, catching eight passes for 155 yards to set a Notre Dame single-game record for receiving yards by a tight end. His top statistical game in ’05 was a seven-catch, 93-yard outing against Michigan State. His 43-yard touchdown reception against Tennessee represents the longest catch of his Irish career. Fasano had at least one reception in each of the last 20 games he played in a Notre Dame uniform, including all 12 games in ’05.
FASANO’S CAREER RECEIVING STATISTICS
| G-GS | Rec. | Yds. | Avg. | TD | LG | |
| 2002 | DNP | |||||
| 2003 | 11-3 | 18 | 169 | 9.4 | 2 | 19 |
| 2004 | 11-9 | 27 | 367 | 13.6 | 4 | 42 |
| 2005 | 12-12 | 47 | 576 | 12.3 | 2 | 43 |
| TOTAL | 34-24 | 92 | 1123 | 12.1 | 8 | 43 |
Quotes from Notre Dame tight end Anthony Fasano’s press conference
January 9, 2006
Opening statement…
Thank you all for coming. I’m here today to announce that I am going to forego my fifth year at Notre Dame and apply for the NFL Draft. Being in this position has been a lifelong dream of mine and I’ve realized that I’m finally able to reach it. I’m going to take advantage of that. It’s been a long and hard decision and I’ve had some great support along the way. I’d like to thank my parents and my family; they’ve been there every step of the way and they’re going to continue to be there as I pursue my dream in the NFL. I’d also like to thank my teammates, who’ve been the best part of playing football at Notre Dame, and my coaches, who’ve helped me so much on and off the field and who’ve helped me go out on a positive note. Most importantly, I’d like to thank coach Weis, who’s been instrumental in helping me make my decision and who’s also helped me on and off the field. Without all those factors, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today. I’d also like to thank the administrators, students and fans at Notre Dame who’ve made my experience a great one. This is a very exciting time for me, and the most exciting part will be graduating in May. I’ll earn a degree in marketing from the Mendoza College of Business and I’m looking forward to being a part of the Notre Dame family for many years to come.
On coach Weis’ feedback…
I tried to avoid a lot of decision-making during the year, but after the Stanford game we sat down and had a meeting with my parents. He tried to get good information from some of his friends in the NFL – people he thought would be helpful – and he encouraged me to do what’s best for me. He felt that this year was a fine time for me to go. He felt I could make an impact and would be ready.
On what round he feels he might be drafted in…
I don’t want to project myself anywhere. I know that working out and doing well at the combine will make this a good decision for me.
On finishing his schoolwork at Notre Dame…
I have two independent studies classes left, so I’ll be back and forth between (South Bend) and California, both working out and taking care of my studies. I plan on David Dunn and Athletes First representing me and they have a facility in California where I can prepare for the combine.
On when he made his final decision…
I really solidified my decision after the bowl game. Everyone I`ve talked to is supporting me either way I went, but I really wanted to figure out the positives and negatives of going (to the NFL). I think the positives outweigh the negatives.
On his search for an agent…
Agents contact you throughout the year, and I tried to deflect them to my parents and coach Weis so I didn’t have to deal with it during the season. I narrowed it down to a handful, maybe five or so, and I think Athletes First and David Dunn is the best decision for me.
On the factors that led to his decision…
Being able to have my stock high and realize that I can make it in the NFL where I’m at now. Financially, it’s also a good time for my family and me to make that move.
On how coach Weis’ system prepared him for the NFL…
I can’t say that there is a better system to go from college to the NFL. Along with my position coaches, coach Weis has really developed me and will make the transition easier.
On the difficulty of leaving the Notre Dame team…
I came here to win a national championship and I didn’t do that. That’s one of the things that really held me back (in making my decision). We have a great opportunity next year, but the best decision for me is to leave at this time.
On how coming back would have improved his draft status…
There’s always room for improvement, unless you’re the number one pick. There’s room for improvement, but I don’t know how much I would go up. There are a lot of question marks that would be answered if I stayed another year, but that’s another thing that held my decision back. Brady (Quinn) and a lot of other people that could help me are coming back, but I think this is the best time for me.
On having the goal of playing professionally while still in college…
I came to college to win games and a national championship, but as that winds down you have to look to the next chapter in your life. The NFL has been a lifelong dream, even though I didn’t concentrate on it early on in college. It definitely helped me focus.
On which team he would like to be drafted by…
I’d love to go to any of the 32 teams if they’re willing to take me. I’m willing to move wherever in the country to play for the team that drafts me. I’m from New Jersey, and I am a Giants fan, though.
On the point in the season when he knew he’d have to make a decision…
I knew going into the season that there was going to be a decision if I played up to expectations. Going through the season and having a productive year, I got the sense from the next level that I would be taken and be able to help a program early on.
On guidance from former teammates…
I spoke briefly with Mike Goolsby and some of the guys that have left, but I also talked to Dan Stevenson, Mark LeVoir and Brandon Hoyte – some of the guys who stayed – and they gave me some valuable insight. I still think that this is the best decision for me, though.
On what he’ll miss the most about Notre Dame…
My teammates, definitely. We’ve had such a close bond every year. When you have those relationships and you really trust those guys, it’s tough to leave because it’s not like that on the next level. The team feeling is what I’m really going to miss.