Impact 2000: #8 Tony Fisher
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
December 22, 2000

(UHND.com) Last season Tony Fisher was the #1 tailback for Notre Dame and gained 783 yards on 156 carries for an average of 5.0 yards a carry while scoring seven times (five rushing and two receiving).  This season however, Fisher found himself as the #2 back behind the explosive Julius Jones and only saw 22 carries in the first three games.

While many backs would have contemplated transferring or complained about playing time, Fisher accepted his role and contributed when he was given the opportunity.  Little did we all know that Jones was going to be hampered by injuries all year pushing Fisher back into the #1 tailback spot for a few games towards the end of the season.

Fisher responded to the extra playing time against Boston College and Rutgers with two 100+ yard games and three touchdowns including a 26 carry, 196 yard, two touchdown performance against Boston College.

While a very good case can be made for Julius Jones respresenting the backs on this list, I chose Fisher since Fisher was the #2 back this year but still managed to be the team's leading scorer with 9 touchdowns after kicker Nick Setta who had 74 points this year.  Fisher also set a very good example by not complaining about playing time andb accepting his role.  He was a lead of on the team despite not being the feature back.

Fisher also added a three touchdown day against West Virginia earlier in the year when he ran one in and connected with Matt LoVecchio for two more.

On the year, Fisher ended up with 607 yards and six rushing touchdowns with another 106 receiving yards and three touchdowns. 

Despite the fact that Fisher will most likely not be the starter next season, he is in my opinion and NFL-caliber back and should get drafted in the late rounds.  Whatever team takes a chance on Fisher, who wont have the flashy stats that some other backs might not have will be in for a surprise because Tony has all the tools to make it at the next level.