I'm hoping Fagnano is to football what Lou Lopez Senechal is to basketball. Lower level kid who can truly play in the big leagues and a bit of a surpris
Welcome to UConn, Joe!
"Once he got an opportunity, Joe Fagnano of Williamsport, PA HS proved to be one of the best quarterbacks in the WVC during the decade. In two seasons as a starter, Fagnano led one of best offenses in the region. He threw for 4,024 yards and 43 touchdown passes for his career while completing 62% of his passes. Fagnano also rushed for 956 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. He holds the school record for completion rate and touchdown passes in a season (30).
Fagnano was named 2017 WVC Big School Offensive Player of the Year and first-team quarterback. He was named All-State Quarterback in 2017 by the Pennsylvania Football Writers. He played in the PSFCA East-West All-Star game, then continued his football career at the Division 1 FCS University of Maine where he started six games as a true freshman for the Black Bears.?
Williamsport coach Charles Crews on Fagnano: “Joe was able to do the impossible in any athlete’s career. He stepped in and filled the shoes of an all-time great and succeeded! Joe followed the career of the school’s all time leader in every passing category and an all-state performer. He acquitted himself by earning all state honors himself and breaking several of his predecessors records in the process. Joe’s success was only a surprise to people outside of the program. We knew he was a stud in waiting.”
As college recruiting talks began to heat up, Maine's Nick Charlton made the trip to see the high school quarterback.
"Coach Charlton was not the lead recruiter, but he came down to see him," Crews said. "Joe was just letting it rip, and Coach Charlton knew he had a steal. He left there knowing that a great quarterback had fallen into his lap."
As a freshman in 2019, Fagnano played in eight games. He completed 121 of 184 passes for 1,835 yards and 17 touchdowns against three interceptions. But injuries and the pandemic limited Fagnano's opportunity over his first three years in Maine. In total, he completed 461 of 772 passing attempts (59.7%) for 5,655 yards and 46 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He had 535 rushing yards on 229 attempts for five touchdowns in his career, with 296 yards and three of those touchdowns coming last fall. Fagnano entered the portal after last season and chose UConn. At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, Fagnano has the size and mobility to fit well into UConn's offense.
"I am excited to see what Joe can bring to (UConn)," Crews said. "You're going to love his pocket presence, his eyes are always down field. He moves so instinctively in the pocket, and when he takes off he has some wheels. You guys are going to really love Joe’s work ethic and stoic leadership which made him the most popular man on the team and a fan favorite. Keep an eye on this young man, the best is yet to come!"
