The commitments continue to roll in, folks.

As they come, as always, we take time out to take an up close and personal look at some of those who have decided where they will continue their lacrosse careers after their decisions have been posted on our “Updated recruiting review and commitment rundown.”

Next up is one of the nation’s top juniors, defenseman AJ Carfora from the Salisbury School in Salisbury, Conn.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Carfora has given a verbal commitment to new Penn State coach Jeff Tambroni, the former head coach at Cornell.

Here’s a Q&A with AJ on his commitment:

What were the main factors in your decision to attend Penn State?
One of the main factors that contributed to me wanting to go to Penn State was being able to play for coach Jeff Tambroni. I really like his style of coaching and him as a person, and he’s been able to do great things with his past programs. I really liked the rest of the coaching staff as well as the being a part of a new program, getting a great education, the connection I had with the team and further spreading the game of lacrosse.

What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I was considering Syracuse, Georgetown, Duke and Denver.

What adjustments do you think you will need to make to play at the next level?
Some of the adjustments I’ll have to make will be to keep increasing my lax I.Q. and to keep practicing getting faster and stronger.

What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
I believe my strengths as a player are being able to be a strong, hard-nosed player but have speed and agility. I’m a shutdown defender who makes it tough to score goals on because of my strength and agility. I think that I have a great sense of communication on the field and my versatility as a defender helps me tremendously. I would describe my style of play as hard nosed, I make you work to get positioning and I’m an up tempo in your face defender.

What players have you looked up to as you have moved up through the varsity ranks?
Some of the guys I’ve looked up to in the three years I’ve been playing would definitely have to be CJ Costabile and Ric Beardsley. I played summer league with CJ’s younger brother, Nick, and I played against both of them, and I always looked up to CJ. Ric Beardsley was a powerhouse defender at Syracuse and I tried to play just like him as well.

When did you first realize you had the potential to play at the college level?
I don’t think I really ever realized it, I always practiced and worked like I knew I was going to play it. That way if I worked hard and practiced hard and hadn’t of made it then I would not have had any regrets. When I started playing freshman year I wanted to be a division 1 lacrosse player, and after all the camps, games, and off season work it finally paid off. My high school coach, Bobby Wynne, of the Salisbury School helped me out a lot through the whole process and has helped me and encouraged me along the way. Also my summer league coach, Daryl Delia of the Connecticut Hurricanes, helped me a great deal and helped mold me into the player I am today and has influenced me a great deal both as lacrosse player and a person.

* For video highlights of AJ in action, click here.

* Be sure to e-mail any recruiting commitment news to us at info@laxlessons.com.

Recruiting coverage

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* Class of 2010 commitment rundown

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Posted In: Recruiting Rundown

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6 Responses to “Salisbury star Carfora picks Penn State, new coach Tambroni”

  1. CT Lax says:

    AJ’s a tough kid and a great player. Real nice recruit for Tambroni who will have Penn State in the Final 4 sooner rather than later.

  2. Jeanine says:

    We are very excited for AJ and the PSU LAX Coaches and team. It is a great opportunity to get in on what will be a great program.

  3. BlueWhite says:

    Yeh AJ….

  4. Mr. T says:

    AJ, great job – we knew you when you were just coming into the game and you were all raw talent. Branford started it, then your hard work plus the brain trust at Salisbury and the Canes helped produce a legit D1 d-man. Super kid, great family – The Lions are getting a real prize.

  5. State Lax says:

    Nice to see Coach Tambroni swoop in and get this kid.

  6. credd24 says:

    PSU is getting a treasure not just a great lax kid but a truly awesome individual. Go lions!!

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