The Iowa Hawkeyes have another key defensive piece staying put in Iowa City for the 2024 college football season.
Instead of declaring for the 2024 NFL draft, Sebastian Castro announced he’s returning to the Hawkeyes for next season.
Castro revealed that news on Saturday evening with the caption “Unfinished Business” via the official Hawkeye Football social media accounts.
In Castro’s social media edit, it included the message, “Let’s Run It Back.”
Unfinished Business.@castro2x5 x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/vF9Q2GSPbB
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) January 6, 2024
Castro started 13 games this past season. The 5-foot-11, 205 pound defender started 11 games at the Hawkeyes’ CASH position and another two at strong safety.
He registered 67 tackles, 11 pass breakups, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions and one defensive touchdown. Castro’s defensive score was a 30-yard pick-six in the Hawkeyes’ 20-13 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series victory over rival Iowa State.
In his career, Castro has appeared in 41 games and started 21. The Oak Lawn, Ill., product has tallied 106 tackles, 16 pass breakups, 11 tackles for loss and three interceptions during his Iowa career.
Though star cornerback and punt returner Cooper DeJean declared for the 2024 NFL draft, Castro is the latest in a larger number of Hawkeye defenders that have opted for another season donning the black and gold.
All-American and Butkus Award semifinalist linebacker Jay Higgins was first to announce his return to Iowa. Cornerback Jermari Harris also announced he was coming back to the Hawkeyes for the 2024 season.
Higgins tied Andre Jackson for the most tackles in a single season in Iowa history with 171 this past year. Higgins also had five tackles for loss, five pass breakups and one interception.
Harris registered 42 tackles, nine pass breakups, one tackle for loss and one interception in 2023. Over his Hawkeye career, Harris has 78 tackles, 17 pass breakups and five interceptions.
This trio provides a ton of experience for Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker to work with entering 2024.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.