Iowa defensive back Sebastian Castro forgoes NFL Draft, will return to Iowa for sixth season

The 23-year-old led all Iowa defenders in pass deflections and interceptions this past season.

January 6, 2024

Iowa defensive back Sebastian Castro runs to the end zone after catching an interception for a pick-six during a Cy-Hawk football game between Iowa and Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cyclones, 20-13. Castro intercepted the ball once for 30 yards and a touchdown.

Iowa football defensive back Sebastian Castro is returning to the Hawkeyes for his sixth season in 2024.

Pro Football Focus’s first-team All-American safety announced Saturday evening his intentions of returning to the team, joining linebacker Jay Higgins and fellow defensive back Jermari Harris as this past season’s starters who chose to forgo entering the NFL Draft.

Unfinished Business.@castro2x5 x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/vF9Q2GSPbB

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) January 6, 2024

In his second season starting at CASH for Phil Parker’s defense, Castro finished with a career-high 67 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and three interceptions—leading Iowa’s defense in both of the later categories. He also notched a sack, forced a fumble, and returned an interception for a touchdown.

Castro committed to Iowa in 2019 after receiving offers from schools such as Iowa State, Minnesota, and Syracuse. After redshirting his freshman year and seeing limited playing time in 2020, he appeared in 13 games in 2021, and since then has recorded 106 tackles, 16 pass deflections, three interceptions, and three force fumbles.

Other starters on Iowa’s defense yet to announce their future include linebacker Nick Jackson and safety Quinn Schulte. On the offensive side, tight end Erik All can also return.

About the Contributors

Cooper Worth, Pregame reporter

(he/him/his)

Cooper Worth is a Pregame Reporter for The Daily Iowan. He is a senior at the University of Iowa majoring in journalism and mass communication. He is also earning a minor in communication studies and an entrepreneurial management certificate. This is his third year at the DI, previously serving as a News Editor and as a News Reporter covering local government in Johnson County for the DI. Cooper interned for the Telegraph Herald in Dubuque, Iowa during the summer of 2023 as a general news reporter.

Grace Smith, Senior photojournalist and filmmaker

she/her/hers

Grace Smith is a fourth-year student at the University of Iowa double majoring in Journalism and Cinematic Arts. In her four years at The Daily Iowan, she has held the roles of photo editor, managing summer editor, and visual storyteller. Outside of The Daily Iowan, Grace has held an internship at The Denver Post and pursued freelance assignments for the Cedar Rapids Gazette and the Des Moines Register.