Football: Colts Neck’s Anthony Gargiulo Commits to Navy

*Shore Conference Class of 2014 college commitment list*

Colts Neck senior running back/defensive end Anthony Gargiulo, a Shore Sports Network first-team All-Shore selection, verbally committed to Navy on Monday.

"It was really just the atmosphere there,'' Gargiulo said. "It was really something else. It was a great experience to go down there and be with the team."

Gargiulo selected Navy from a final four that also included Sacred Heart, Villanova and Wagner. He wrestled with the decision to go with Navy considering that upon graduation, midshipmen are obligated to a minimum of five years of service.

"It was a hard decision,'' Gargiulo said. "I really gave it a lot of thought. I wasn't one of those guys who grew up with the military always in my life. I put a lot of thought into it and reached the decision."

Colts Neck’s all-time leading rusher, Gargiulo finished second in the Shore Conference with 1,666 yards rushing and scored a school-record 27 touchdowns for his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season as the Cougars won a school-record 10 games and reached their first state sectional final in history this fall. He is believed to be the first FBS recruit in the history of Colts Neck's program, which was established in 2000.

An All-Class A North pick by the coaches, he had a career-high 275 yards and four touchdowns in a playoff win over Neptune and had 160 yards and four touchdowns in a semifinal victory over Nottingham. He also had three touchdowns in a loss to Class A North champion Manalapan. He finished his career with school career records for rushing yards (3,436); touchdowns (47); tackles (367); and starts (31). Also a standout linebacker, Gargiulo led Colts Neck with a school-record 140 tackles, good for second in the Shore Conference, and also had four sacks and an interception return for a touchdown.

His commitment now gives the Shore six FBS recruits from the Class of 2014 along with Manalapan wide receiver Saeed Blacknall (Penn State); Southern tight end Mike Gesicki (Penn State); Rumson-Fair Haven defensive end Donald Bedell (Rutgers); Raritan offensive lineman Pat Toal (Old Dominion) and Red Bank Catholic offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame).