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COLLEGE: Anthony Fasano became the Dallas Cowboys second pick (53rd overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft after an outstanding collegiate career at Notre Dame. With the Cowboys offensive emphasis on using two-tight ends, Fasano will have an immediate impact working alongside and learning from two-time Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten. He also arrives in Dallas after working in a similar offensive system under former Bill Parcells assistant Charlie Weis last season at Notre Dame. Fasano was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award - presented to college football's most outstanding tight end - and one of four recipients of the Nick Pietrosante Award given each year to the Notre Dame player who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and pride of the late Irish All-America fullback. A serious offensive threat as a pass catcher, Fasano recorded at least one catch in his final 20 games at Notre Dame.
2005: Fasano finished his career at Notre Dame 11th overall and second among Irish tight ends on the school's career-receiving list with 92 receptions, and his 1,112 career receiving yards ranks second as well among Notre Dame tight ends. Fasano caught a career-high 47 passes as a senior, the second-best single-season performance by a tight end in school history. He was a third-team All-America selection after starting every game and catching 47 passes for 576 yards and two touchdowns, with nine of his receptions going for 20 yards-or-more. He converted 28 of his 47 catches into first downs, including six on third down. In the season opener at Pittsburgh he had four receptions for 42 yards. He had season-highs in both receptions and receiving yards against Michigan State when he hauled in seven passes for 93 yards. He came back with six catches for 66 yards at Washington. Against USC he had four receptions for 86 yards. Against BYU he notched five catches for 55 yards. He recorded his first touchdown of the season, a career-long 43-yard grab, against Tennessee among his four catches for 78 yards. He scored again the next week at Navy with four catches for 70 yards. In the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State he hauled in two catches for 12 yards.
2004: Fasano started nine games for the Irish while seeing action in 11 and finished second on the team with 27 receptions for 367 yards and a career-best four touchdowns. He recorded four catches for 60 yards in the season opener at BYU before posting three receptions for 41 yards and a career-high two touchdowns at Washington. He was named the John Mackey National Tight End of the week following his performance at Purdue where he caught a career-high eight passes for 155 yards - which set a single-game receiving record for a Notre Dame tight end. Against the Boilermakers he recorded a season-long 42-yard reception. At Tennessee he hauled in two passes - one being an eight-yard touchdown. His only catch against Oregon State in the Insight Bowl was a 13-yard reception for a touchdown.
2003: Fasano played in 11 games for the Irish, starting three of those contests. He finished fourth on the team in receptions with 18 for 169 yards and two scores. He recorded his first collegiate catch against Michigan on a 19-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Fasano made his first career start against Pittsburgh, leading all receivers with two receptions for 15 yards. He again led the team in receiving against USC with four catches for 33 yards including his first career touchdown. Fasano started again against Boston College as Notre Dame opened in a two-tight end formation and recorded a season-high 48 yards on four catches. In the final game of the season against Syracuse he had three catches for 21 yards and a touchdown.
2002: Fasano did not see action as a freshman.
PERSONAL: Anthony Joseph Fasano was a four-year letterman and two-year captain at Verona, N.J., High School as a tight end and defensive lineman. He helped led the team to the New Jersey state title among Group 1 schools and threw the game-winning PAT pass in the 2001 title game. As a senior he caught 78 passes for 1,460 yards and a county-record 23 touchdowns. He finished his high school career with a county-record 42 career touchdown receptions. He established Verona High School records for career receptions (168) and touchdowns (42) as well as a single-season record for tackles (119). He also earned four letters in basketball and was the team captain his final two years. He was a two-time all-state pick in track winning the New Jersey Group 1 state title in javelin in his first year competing in the event. He pitched a one-hitter in baseball in his first outing as a freshman. He graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in marketing. | 