Tag: Sebastian Castro

Sebastian Castro stands alone as highest-graded Power 5 CB since 2022

Sebastian Castro chose to come back to Iowa. He looks to put a bow on his career after being the highest-graded CB for the last two years.

Sebastian Castro has blossomed into a star for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The do-it-all cornerback can play like a linebacker, has the blend of size and speed to act as a safety, and covers like a cornerback. The CASH defender in Phil Parker’s defense needs to do all of that and Castro can do it among the best in America.

His play has only continued to elevate the last two seasons and hasn’t gone unnoticed. Pro Football Focus has Sebastian Castro as their highest-graded cornerback in all of the Power 5 over the last two seasons.

Over the last 2 seasons, Castro has totaled 100 tackles, 13 pass breakups, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions, one of which he took back for a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones.

Sebastian Castro had a choice earlier this offseason. His play during the 2023 season shot him up NFL draft boards and he could have left Iowa for the draft where he surely would have been selected.

Castro chose to come back to Iowa for one more season. He is part of a group who all decided to return that consists of himself, Nick Jackson, Jay Higgins, Jermari Harris, and Quinn Schulte. This group will lead a defense returning eight total starters.

The Iowa Hawkeyes struck gold in Sebastian Castro and his versatility. He is primed to become a household name and showcase his skills on a national level during the 2024 season.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.

Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

Guessing the top 10 highest-rated Iowa Hawkeyes in EA Sports College Football 25

Ahead of the return of EA Sports College Football 25, here is a guess at who may be the top 10 highest-rated Iowa Hawkeyes in the game.

After a decade-long wait, the return of one of the most highly-anticipated video games is finally coming. EA Sports has announced that this summer will be the official return of EA Sports College Football 25.

The game was discontinued after NCAA Football was released in 2013. This pause came amid the strife around paying players for their name, image, and likeness. Obviously, it goes without saying that NIL has taken leaps and bounds to allow players to be correctly compensated.

With the return of the video game, fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes are eager to see their favorite team and its best players as they lead them to glory in dynasty mode. This is every Hawkeyes’ fans chance to light up the scoreboard and put up truly “video game” numbers on offense.

Ahead of the release, here is a guess at who are the top 10 highest-rated Iowa Hawkeyes in EA Sports College Football 25.

Sebastian Castro is Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 highest-graded CB from 2023

Sebastian Castro had a breakout year in 2023. He came in as the No. 2 highest-graded CB in the nation per Pro Football Focus.

After a stellar 2023 season, Sebastian Castro is returning to the Iowa Hawkeyes for 2024 in an effort to “run it back” as part of one of the country’s best defenses.

Castro’s 2023 was a breakout year for the CASH defender playing the hybrid role of a cornerback, safety, and linebacker at times who was relied on in run support and sure tackling. One area Castro excelled in was pass coverage.

Per Pro Football Focus, Iowa’s Sebastian Castro was the No. 2 highest-graded cornerback in the nation in 2023.

During the 2023 season, Sebastian Castro totaled 67 tackles, eight tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, 11 pass breakups, and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones.

Castro is a key part of a group of Hawkeyes’ defenders returning in 2024 to bring back a ton of experience to a top-tier defense. Nick Jackson, Quinn Schulte, Jay Higgins, Jermari Harris, and Castro are all starters who will be returning to Phil Parker’s defense.

Castro will be back with a secondary returning three of their starters and only losing Cooper DeJean to the NFL draft. Xavier Nwankpa will be manning the safety position as this group is set to be one of the Hawkeyes’ strengths in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

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.

‘Let’s Run It Back’: Sebastian Castro announces 2024 return to Iowa Hawkeyes

“Let’s Run It Back.” Another reinforcement! Iowa defensive back and CASH Sebastian Castro announced his 2024 return to the Hawkeyes.

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.”

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.

Iowa’s Sebastian Castro wins Our Esquina College Football Player of the Year

After a fantastic season for the Iowa Hawkeyes, DB Sebastian Castro was named the 2023 College Football Player of the Year by Our Esquina.

Defensive back Sebastian Castro had a heck of a year for the Iowa Hawkeyes and is receiving the recognition he deserves. Announced on Wednesday, Castro was named the Our Esquina College Football Player of the Year.

“With a toughness and determination that defines the Latino community, Sebastian Castro was one of the biggest stars on Iowa’s stingy defense,” Our Esquina announced on social media with a graphic commemorating Castro’s achievement.

Castro was a cornerstone of the Hawkeyes defense that made it to the Big Ten Championship. He finished the season with 61 tackles and three key interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones that proved to be the difference maker.

Our Esquina, translated in English to “our corner,” is a sports media company dedicated to “Amplifying Latino voices and stories.” Few have more experience in the sports media realm than founder Jose de Jesus Ortiz. Ortiz started covering baseball in 1997 and would spend 15 years as an Astros beat writer, a national baseball writer, and an international soccer writer at the Houston Chronicle.

He is also the first Latino to serve as president of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Throughout his time as a beat writer, according to the company’s about page, he looked for a place where “the Latino story was celebrated all year.” That induced him to create Our Esquina, giving a much-needed voice to his community.

With that voice, he’s been able to extol the praises of athletes from his corner of the world such as Sebastian Castro. The 2023 College Player of the Year award from Our Esquina is just the latest received by Castro after a fantastic season at Iowa’s CASH position. He was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection by league media, and an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick by league coaches. Most recently, Castro was named an Associated Press Third-Team All-American.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Jacob on X: @Jacobkeppen

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.

Led by defense and special teams, four Iowa Hawkeyes named AP All-Americans

Carried by defense and special teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes have four players represented on the Associated Press All-American teams.

For a season that was carried by incredible defensive and special teams efforts, it is only right that those top performers are rewarded with recognition. The Iowa Hawkeyes have four players receiving notoriety for their efforts.

Four Iowa Hawkeyes have been named as Associated Press All-Americans. The representatives are cornerback Cooper DeJean, punter Tory Taylor, linebacker Jay Higgins, and defensive back Sebastian Castro.

Cooper DeJean and Tory Taylor find themselves as AP First-Team All-Americans. DeJean, despite missing the final two games with a leg injury, recorded 41 tackles to go with five pass breakups and two interceptions. Tory Taylor dominated the punting conversation in America averaging 47.9 yards per punt with 36 punts beyond 50 yards and 30 of them dropped inside the opposing 20-yard line.

Jay Higgins had a monster year and was named as an AP Second-Team All-American linebacker. Higgins was everywhere for the Hawkeyes this year tallying 155 tackles, an interception, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. His presence in the middle of the defense was critical.

Sebastian Castro is the fourth Hawkeyes to receive honors. He was named an AP Third-Team All-American defensive back which is rather incredible considering this was his first year getting this much time. He had 61 tackles, three interceptions, and eight pass breakups.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

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.

Iowa Hawkeyes Sebastian Castro named to Pro Football Focus’ All-American Defense

Iowa saw Sebastian Castro blossom this season. The Hawkeyes defensive back has earned a spot on Pro Football Focus’ All-America Defense.

Something about the CASH defender for the Iowa Hawkeyes breeds success. It did so once again this season with Sebastian Castro blossoming into quite a fine defensive back for Broyles Award-winning defensive coordinator Phil Parker.

After a stellar 2023 season, Sebastian Castro has thrust himself into discussions regarding whether he will declare for the 2024 NFL draft or return.

But first, his success this year deserves recognition. That starts with Pro Football Focus naming him to their All-American defensive team. While he is a CASH defender in Iowa’s defense, a hybrid of safety, linebacker, and cornerback, he is chosen as a cornerback by Pro Football Focus.

Sebastian Castro appeared in all 13 games this season with 12 starts. He tallied 61 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, 11 pass breakups, three interceptions, and one interception returned for a touchdown. Castro was everywhere this season for this defense.

One thing that doesn’t appear in the stats but rather upon watching Castro is his ability to make one-on-one tackles in the open field. He is often in space with a slot receiver or running back and seemingly brought them down each time, often preventing huge chunk plays.

While Castro is on this defense, one has to ask the question of why ESPN’s top cornerback, Cooper DeJean, was left off. Not only was he snubbed, Jay Higgins and his massive season also got left off the list. You have to wonder where those two sit among this group.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

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.

Sebastian Castro, Cooper DeJean combining for eye-popping coverage stat

Cooper DeJean and Sebastian Castro haven’t just been good or great, they are putting out absurd coverage statistics this season for Iowa.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are truly blessed with the group they have manning the secondary. Cooper DeJean, Quinn Schulte, Jermari Harris, Xavier Nwankpa and Sebastian Castro have been nothing short of excellent in 2023.

DeJean burst onto the scene in 2022 with his innate ability to intercept the ball and make teams pay. Sebastian Castro has come into his own this year as an integral piece of Phil Parker’s defense playing the cash hybrid position.

The two are putting up eye-popping numbers so far this season. Per Pro Football Focus, the two have combined for 636 coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown. DeJean has gone 340 coverage snaps without allowing a score while Castro has lasted for 296 coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown.

For reference, the Hawkeyes offense has run 451 combined run and pass plays. These two have been lockdown and refuse to give up the big play.

Not allowing a touchdown isn’t all they do well, either. The duo sticks to receivers, tight ends and running backs like glue. DeJean has allowed a 42.1 passer rating when targeted. Castro takes it even lower, allowing a measly 35.8 passer rating when targeted.

Cade McNamara had a 106.2 passer rating before his injury and Deacon Hill has a 75.0 passer rating to provide context of the high level these two are covering wideouts.

On the season, DeJean has totaled 38 tackles, three pass breakups and two interceptions. Castro is right there with 37 tackles, 4 pass breakups and three interceptions.

Iowa fans need to enjoy these two while they are playing together. They are among the most talented secondary duos in America and their play week in and week out shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

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.

Four Iowa Hawkeyes named to midseason All-American teams

Four Iowa Hawkeyes find themselves scattered across a number of the midseason All-American teams. Take a look at the midseason honorees.

The Iowa Hawkeyes sit at 6-1 with a strong grip on the Big Ten West. Their road to 6-1 hasn’t been a smooth road trip. Instead, it’s been one with bumps, some stall outs, and a few blown tires. That’ll happen, though, and the Hawkeyes have responded to each one of those and found ways to keep on pushing.

The Hawkeyes’ success has been on the backs of their defense, special teams, and a rushing offense that has seemed to find some new life as of lately on the legs of Kaleb Johnson and Leshon Williams behind a confident offensive line.

While it has been the epitome of a team effort to get to this point, there are always a few who are carrying more weight on their shoulders and performing at an extremely high level. The Iowa Hawkeyes have four of those players.

Those four are cornerback Cooper DeJean, punter Tory Taylor, linebacker Jay Higgins, and CASH Sebastian Castro. Their efforts have them littered across midseason All-American teams from USA TODAY Sports, Sporting News, Fox, the Associated Press, The Athletic (subscription required), CBS, and ESPN.

Take a look below at where each of the four have been honored by outlets nationally.

CASH Money: Sebastian Castro’s stats show he has been lockdown for Iowa this season

In an expanded role, Iowa’s CASH defender Sebastian Castro has stepped up hugely. The stats show the Hawkeye has been lockdown in coverage.

It seems that each year a new defender steps up for the Iowa Hawkeyes and makes their presence known. It is a testament to Phil Parker’s defensive coaching and recruiting.

The next in line to step up for the Hawkeyes is their CASH defender, Sebastian Castro. The CASH position for Iowa is a unique skill set as they are asked to often roll down and provide support in the run game as a linebacker would but also run with tight ends and wide receivers like a safety has to do.

Castro has shown more than capable of doing each of those and has the stats to back it up. Pro Football Focus highlighted just how good he has been in coverage this season.

Castro isn’t getting beat deep with no touchdowns allowed and has made teams pay when they test him. The two interceptions show he can play the ball and he even has a little playmaking ability to himself with returning one for a touchdown.

The 44.2 passer rating allowed when thrown at is outstanding. For context, the lowest passer rating among Power 5 quarterbacks with enough attempts to qualify is 100.0. Castro is allowing less than half of that. His coverage has been like glue.

On the season, Castro has 23 total tackles, three tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and two interceptions. The Iowa CASH has been money all year.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

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.