2025 CB Trestin Castro commits to USC
Upland (Calif.) three-star cornerback Trestin Castro has committed to USC on Tuesday morning, choose to stay home with the Trojans.
Castro chose them over offers from Washington, Cal, Arizona, Colorado and a handful of others. Staying home and having the opportunity to play for one of college football’s biggest brands was too good to pass up, he told On3.
“I’m a West Coast kid and being given opportunity to stay on the west to be with such an elite program was a no brainer,” he said. “The amount of support I get from family now at high school games is unmatched. Now imagine what’s it’s going to be like when I’m attending USC so close to home. USC is home.”
The 6-foot-2, 160-pounder has been a top target on USC’s board for some time, and his recruitment ticked up even more when the Trojans hired new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
“Coach Riley came a few weeks ago to check in on me and assured me the defensive team would come by,” Castro told WeAreSC in February. “So today meeting with Coach Lynn he said he looks for the right defensive backs and I’m one of them and my tape looks solid. We were talking a little about the off-season preparation and talking about this upcoming track season and how track really helps at my position.
… We talked about the ‘DB’ coach being a great fit and how he be getting them right. [It was] just the beginning of building a solid foundation between him and I. He would like to see me in the spring and I’m looking forward to it as well. I’ve talked with Coach Doug (Belk) too and I think I’ll have a relationship with him like I did with Coach Donte.”
Castro believes Lincoln Riley is building a powerhouse
One of the biggest selling points for him was also his belief in what Riley is building in Los Angeles. The Trojans’ head coach has made him a personal priority, and that stood out above the rest.
“For me, Coach Riley has made a big impact for me staying home,” he said. “He has been consistent with me and I really appreciate that. Really makes me feel like I’m that guy. The staff changes didn’t change his view on me and he kept pursuing me. He is the only head coach that I have been in contact with and that matters to me — being wanted by my position coaches and the head coach makes me feel like we’re all on the same page and a team for real. Our one on ones he really listens and is all about his players. Now that’s what I’m looking for. I feel comfortable going to him with conversation already.”
Castro ranks as the No. 744 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also tabbed in as the No. 69 cornerback and the No. 58 player in the state of California in the 2025 class.