Ashley McConnell Class: Senior Hometown: Adairsville, GA High School: Adairsville Height / Weight: 6-0 / 256 Position: Running Back Birthdate: 10/20/1984

CAREER: Veteran fullback who will compete for an expanded role at fullback this season ... played sparingly last season, but could figure into the playing rotation this fall.

2005 (JUNIOR): Played in three games (Purdue, BYU and Syracuse) as a reserve fullback ... for the season, had one rushing attempt for three yards ... played 3:57 against the Boilermakers, the first game activity of his Irish career ... rushed once for three yards against BYU, logging 4:16 of action versus the Cougars ... saw 1:12 of action in the win over Syracuse ... logged a total of 9:25 of playing time.

2004 (SOPHOMORE): Did not play for the Irish.

2003 (FRESHMAN): Did not see action as a rookie fullback.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Graduated from Adairsville High School in Adairsville, Ga. ... voted all-state as a senior in 2002 when he rushed 88 times for 485 yards and scored six TDs ... had eight catches for 92 yards and one score ... made 65 tackles and two interceptions at inside linebacker on defense in helping his team to an 8-2-1 record ... earned all-league and all-area mention at fullback ... rushed for more than 500 yards with seven TDs as a junior ... helped lead Adairsville to the Georgia Class 2A playoffs in both his sophomore and junior seasons ... named team captain as a junior and a senior ... also lettered in basketball and track and field ... ran the 4x100, long jumped and threw the shot put ... born Oct. 20, 1984, in Naples, Italy ... one of two children ... father is a Morocco native and mother served in the U.S. Navy overseas ... enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters, majoring in design and computer applications.