Sebastian Castro Weighing Future Plans

Iowa Safety Deciding Whether to Stay in College or Go Pro

Iowa's Sebastian Castro (29) looks into the offensive backfield during a game against Rutgers on Nov. 11, 2023 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HN)

The dominoes of decisions for some of Iowa’s defensive players have started to fall with the choice by linebacker Jay Higgins this week to come back next season.

Defensive back Cooper DeJean hasn’t decided, even though he is one of the highly-regarded prospects who could enter the NFL draft.

Safety Sebastian Castro has an interesting choice in his own right after a season in which he recorded a career-high 61 tackles and a team-high three interceptions.

Either choice, Castro said last week, is OK.

“I’ve been back and forth on what I want to do,” Castro said. “I’ve wanted to play in the NFL since I was a little kid, and I have the opportunity. But to come back another year and improve my game, that’s not a bad deal, either.”

Castro’s resumé got a big bump this season. He was a third-team All-American by the Associated Press after a year in which he nearly doubled his tackle output from last season. He also had eight pass breakups and eight tackles for loss, a ball-hawking presence on one of the nation’s top defenses.

“I think it comes from within,” defensive coordinator Phil Parker said of Castro’s ability. “When we watched him in high school, he was a guy who was very active. Once he sees where the ball is going, he knows how to get there. He sees the angles.

“It’s hard to do that every day. But he’s one of those guys who has it in him. He loves the game of football. It’s a simple game — tackle the guy with the ball. He sees where the ball is, and that’s where he goes.”

“I’ve always been a high-motor guy,” Castro said. “When you mix it in with the film (study), now I have a direction instead of going all over the place.”

How that translates to an NFL career is something Castro isn’t sure of yet — as of last week, he said, he hadn’t gotten back the NFL draft analysis that players can receive.

It’s why he may opt to come back, to have a chance at raising his draft stock.

“It’s not a bad deal to come back, put more on tape,” Castro said.

It was at this point last season when Castro had started to emerge as one of the Hawkeyes’ better defenders. He matched his career high with five tackles in the 21-0 win over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl, when he also had a sack and two pass breakups.

Castro started 12 games this season, and had no intention of passing up playing in next Monday’s Citrus Bowl against Tennessee.

“Down in Florida, good weather, against a good opponent,” Castro said, mentioning the reasons why he wanted to play. “It’s just another opportunity.

“I feel if you really love the game, why would you opt out? It doesn’t help you at the end of the day.”

Castro, who said this week he expects to decide soon after the bowl game, has until mid-January to make his decision, so for now, he is enjoying the process.

“I’ve always had it in my thoughts, I believe in myself that I could get in this position,” Castro said of going to the NFL. “Now there’s so much going on. There’s decisions to make, things to think about.

“It’s all fun, though. I’m blessed to be in the position I’m in. I’m just trying to enjoy it.”