Sebastian Castro NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Iowa S

HEIGHT: 5'11"

WEIGHT: 202

HAND: 10"

ARM: 31"

WINGSPAN: 74¼"

POSITIVES

— Stout run-first defender who isn't afraid to bang around with offensive linemen. Castro aligns all over the field for the Hawkeye defense, primarily in the box and at the nickel spot.

— High-motor player with tenacity to get to the ball who triggers extremely quickly to the run. Comes screaming downhill looking for contact, closing in with good angles.

— Lacks elite twitch, but his footwork in coverage is clean, showing above-average feet and hips to drive on the ball. He may take some time to get going, but has good speed in the open field.

— Showcases ball skills and timing necessary to play the ball and receivers when the ball is in the air.

NEGATIVES

— He can be heavy-footed at times, leading to slower change of direction and separation in coverage. This also shows itself in the run game, where he may lose leverage and overrun the ball-carrier.

— His aggressiveness can get him in trouble with play fakes. He can't afford to give up his leverage and cushion in coverage.

— Once Castro gets to his initial drop, he may lose sight of his threats and struggle to find the play.

2024 STATISTICS

— 12 Games, 57 Tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 2 FF, 2 PBU

NOTES

— Born Oct. 14, 2000

— Games Started: 30

— 3-Star recruit in the 2019 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Fourth Team All-America; Second Team All-Big Ten

— 2023 Second-Team All-Big Ten

OVERALL

Sebastian Castro is a tough, run-first safety with versatility who can play multiple spots within Iowa's defense. Primarily functioning in the box and as a nickel defender, Castro brings a high football IQ and physicality to the field. With his hands-on approach, he excels at shedding blocks to get to the ball, making him a valuable asset in run defense.

Castro is at his best in run support, triggering quickly downhill and consistently taking good angles to the ball. His high motor and physicality allow him to confidently take on blockers, using his hands well to shed them and disrupt plays. However, his aggressive play-style can occasionally backfire, as he may overrun ball-carriers or bite on play fakes, compromising his positioning. He is best when flowing to the ball in the open field, but his lack of athleticism can show up in close quarters.

Castro is reliable but limited in coverage. His footwork is clean, and he can drive on the ball with above-average feet and hips. However, he lacks the elite acceleration and twitch required for man-to-man coverage on an island, making him more suited for zone or underneath responsibilities. His ball skills are solid, showing good timing and the ability to play the ball in the air. His tendency to be heavy-footed can result in separation against quicker players, especially in change-of-direction scenarios.

Sebastian Castro projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to be a high-level backup or rotational safety in the NFL. His strengths in run defense, versatility, and football IQ make him a valuable piece in defensive schemes that prioritize physicality and box play. While he will need to refine his coverage abilities, particularly in man-to-man situations, Castro has the tools to contribute on defense and special teams.

GRADE: 7.1 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 93

POSITION RANK: S8

PRO COMPARISON: Adrian Amos

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.