Active #33 Faoa, Asi, FB/LB

PROFESSIONAL
Asi Faoa is entering his third season in the AFL, all with the Rattlers.  Last season, Faoa carried the ball 13 times for 43 yards, including an 18-yard run.  He caught three passes for 30 yards.  Faoa also contributed on defense, adding 17.5 tackles, three pass break-ups, a quarterback hurry, two forced fumbles, and recovered a fumble as well.  In 2006, Faoa had 14.5 tackles (12 solo), 0.5 tackle for a loss and 0.5 sack for two yards in 12 games.  He also broke up two passes, tallied one quarterback hurry and recorded one of the Rattlers’ two blocked kicks on the year.  On offense, Faoa rushed four times for 14 yards and a touchdown.  In 2005, Faoa played with the af2’s San Diego Riptide.  In 14 games, five starts, with the Riptide, he tallied 24 tackles (five for losses) and ranked second in the league with ten sacks.  Earlier in 2005, the lineman signed with the Los Angeles Avengers, playing in two games before moving over to the Riptide.

COLLEGE
Faoa finished a five-year career at the University of California at Los Angeles with 42 tackles, 5.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, and two quarterback sacks for the Bruins.  He started at linebacker in the 1999 season opener as a true freshman. Faoa played in the next two contests before being sidelined with back problems for which he was granted a medical hardship year.  In 2000, he made the switch from linebacker to defensive end.  As a junior in 2002, Faoa played in all 13 games and finished with 24 tackles, three for losses, and two sacks.  As a senior in 2003, he played both end and tackle, and was the co-winner of UCLA’s Jerry Long “Heart” Award.

HIGH SCHOOL/PERSONAL
Faoa was born on January 24, 1981 in Orange, California and resides in Anaheim.  He majored in political science.  His hobbies include sumo wrestling and Polynesian dancing.  His full name is Asiolefolasa Asoau Faoa.  A three-sport star and student body president at Magnolia High School (Anaheim, Calif.), Faoa earned letters in football, basketball, and track and field.  On the gridiron, he played on both sides of the ball and had 94 tackles, nine sacks, and three forced fumbles as a senior in 1998.  Faoa was also named the “Most Valuable Player” of the basketball team, averaging 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.  Faoa was also an All-CIF shot putter.  The Orange County Register selected him as its “Male Athlete of the Year” for all sports in 1998.