UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State men's lacrosse program welcomed 11 signees to their 2022 recruiting class on National Signing Day Wednesday afternoon.
"Our staff is excited to announce the Penn State Class of 2027" stated head coach Jeff Tambroni. "Our 2023 signees are an extraordinary blend of high character individuals, fierce competitors, and compassionate young men."
Tambroni added, "they will carry on the legacy, and tradition, of Penn State lacrosse with great pride. We are honored to welcome our 11 signees, and their respective families, into the Penn State lacrosse family."
This class features three All-Americans, three All-Regions and one five-star recruit. The class comes from across the country from six states, including four from New York, four from Pennsylvania, and one from Illinois, Virginia, and Maryland.
Meet our newest Nittany Lions
Sammy McAvoy
Fairfax Valley, Va. | Lake Braddock Secondary | Midfield
McAvoy comes to Penn State from the Lake Braddock Secondary School. He is a two-time All-District recipient as well as a two-time All-Region honoree. He was named to the All-State team in 2022. He received a Washington Post Honorable Mention All-Met nod in 2022 and was a USA Lacrosse Academic All-American in the same year. He was named to the Athletic Academic Honor Roll in 2022 while serving as captain. McAvoy also is a two-time team Most Valuable Player honoree.
Why Penn State?
"Teammates for Life - excellence in academics and athletics with a culture of brotherhood."
Brendan Leary
Villanova, Pa.| The Haverford School | Midfield
Leary comes to Happy Valley from the Haverford School in Villanova, Pa. A multi-sport athlete, Leary played golf, lacrosse, and basketball at the Haverford School. He served as captain of the golf team in 2022. Leary lives in a sport household with brother Jack currently playing lacrosse at Georgetown University.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of the academic and athletic excellence. I really liked the team culture and the opportunity to play in the Big 10 conference."
Joe Calandrino
Massapequa, N.Y.| St. Anthony's | Midfield
Calandrino attended St. Anthony's high school and is was member of the Catholic League championship team in 2022. He played running back and linebacker on the St. Anthony's football team. Calandrino is the cousin to current Nittany Lion lacrosse player Michael Faraone. His uncle Johnnie played lacrosse as well at the New York Institute of Technology.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of the great academics and alumni community."
Kyle Lehman
Massapequa, N.Y.| Wissahickon | Midfield
Lehman comes to Penn State from Wissahickon high school. He was named a five-star recruit according to Inside Lacrosse and was a USA Lacrosse All-American and USA All-Academic honoree as a junior. He was named to the Suburban One First Team in his sophomore and junior seasons and was named to the All-Eastern Pennsylvania team as a junior. He played club lacrosse for the Philadelphia Freedom as well.
Why Penn State?
"The tradition PSU has with my family. It has always been a goal of mine to attend and play lacrosse at PSU. Great academics, social experience and alumni base."
Ben Johnson
Peoria, Ill. | Avon Old Farms | Goalie
Johnson comes to Penn State from the Avon Old Farms schools. He's played varsity lacrosse for five years while also playing club lacrosse for True Illinois. Academically, he's made the Headmaster's List in which you need a 3.8 GPA or above to be named to. He plans on majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State for all the great and supportive people here."
Dillon Torggler
Annapolis, Md. | St. Mary's | Defense
Torggler comes to Penn State from Annapolis, Md. where he played lacrosse at St. Mary's. He played four years of varsity lacrosse and one year of basketball in high school. He is an 11-time honor roll recipient while playing for the Annapolis Hawks club lacrosse team. His sister Morgan played for Maryland women's lacrosse program where she was a three-time national champion.
Why Penn State?
"When I walked on campus it felt like home."
Kris Henning
Garnet Valley, Pa. | Garnet Valley | Midfield
Henning comes to Penn State from Garnet Valley, Pa. where he played midfield for Garnet Valley High School. He was named captain of the team for this season while he was named Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2019. He is also a five-time Delco Young Author Award winner and has been named to the Distinguished Honor Roll.
Why Penn State?
"Academic Opportunity. Incredible atmosphere. Exceptional lacrosse."
Patrick Carragher
Merrick, N.Y. | Saint Anthony's | Attack
Carragher comes to Penn State from Merrick, N.Y. where he played lacrosse at Saint Anthony's High School. He was named to the All-Catholic League in 2022 while playing on league championship teams in 2021 and 2022. He scored 20 points in his sophomore year and doubled that in the following year with 40. He is a four-star recruit and was named to the honors society and earned the Duns Scotus Award.
Why Penn State?
" I chose Penn state because of the great school spirit and academics. Also, the winning culture and having some of the best coaches in lacrosse."
Colby Baldwin
White Plains, N.Y. | Scarsdale | Face-Off
Baldwin comes to University Park from White Plains, N.Y. where he played high school for Scarsdale High School. He is a three-time All-League member while also being named an All-American and All-State recipient in his junior season. Baldwin is also a two-time All-Section team member. He served as captain in his junior and senior season and led his team to two section championships and one regional championship. He recorded an 87% faceoff win rate which was a school record in his junior season.
Why Penn State?
"The lacrosse program, coaches, I love the campus, great academics, bonded with the coaches really well."
Patrick Keenan
Media, Pa. | Malvern Prep | Defense
Keenan comes to Penn State from Media, Pa. where he played lacrosse for Malvern Prep. He received distinguished honors. He led his team to two Inter AC Lacrosse Championships at Malvern Prep. He plans on majoring in finance.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because it felt like home. I've been a Penn State fan my entire life and it was my dream to play college lacrosse there. I've been up there multiple times when I was younger. I was at their summer camps and Penn State was just a second home for me. Penn State has great coaches, great players, and a great environment. Penn State has a great education and a huge alumni base to help me succeed in the future."
Jaeden Jenkins
Wyandanch, N.Y. | Saint Anthony's | Defense
Jenkins comes to the Nittany Lions from Saint Anthony's high school where he was named to the All-HSWL team in 2022 while also receiving the Charlie McLaughlin Memorial Award. He was an All-League Honorable Mention as well. He played five years of lacrosse while four years of football and his team to an NSCHSAA championship last season.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn state because out of everywhere I visited no place made me feel at home. No place accepted me for who I am and made me feel that I was accepted. Penn state was the only place I felt that I could easily call my new home because all the positivity and love spread by the people and team I got to meet."
