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Sebastian Castro can easily identify why he's considered one of the most physical and toughest players in the country. Forceful, fearless tackles are nothing new for Castro, who “grew up like that” as he played with older kids in his Oak Lawn, Illinois, neighborhood long before his days in college football. The cul-de-sac in front of Castro’s childhood home was the informal playing field for the pick-up games. The weather, even if there was “eight inches of snow,” was not a deterrent. “We would all play sports from the morning to night,” Castro said. “Football was one of the sports we played, and they got rough sometimes. ... We loved every second of it." After playing sparingly early on in his career, "things clicked" for Castro and he developed into one of the top safeties around. In 2023, Castro racked up 67 tackles with eight tackles for a loss. He also had three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. "Once he figured things out, he took off," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "He's one of the most players on our team and in the entire Big Ten. We know we can count on him."

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Illinois

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As the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine continued Friday, the cornerbacks kicked off the group of defensive backs to run the 40-yard dash. The safeties

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2025 NFL Scouting Combine: Top 10 fastest 40-yard dash times for safeties

While some players in his position might make a business decision and not play in a bowl game, that thought never crossed the mind of Sebastian

Sebastian Castro(4)

Hawkeye Report Football

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Sebastian Castro was no doubt playing in bowl game

His roommate, Jermari Harris is hurt and out for the rest of the season, but Sebastian Castro said on Tuesday that he plans on playing in whatever

Sebastian Castro(8)

Sebastian Castro confirms he will play in bowl game

When Jermari Harris and Sebastian Castro Swarm on to the Kinnick Stadium field on Saturday afternoon, the Chicago area natives will be doing it side

Jermari Harris (2)

Harris and Castro ready for last ride

The 2024 college football season is just around the corner. With that, ESPN decided to rank some of the best players in all of college football and

ESPN top 25 college football players

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ESPN ranks the Top 25 players in college football for 2024 season

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2025 NFL Scouting Combine: Top 10 fastest 40-yard dash times for safeties

Sebastian Castro was no doubt playing in bowl game

Sebastian Castro confirms he will play in bowl game

Harris and Castro ready for last ride

ESPN ranks the Top 25 players in college football for 2024 season

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