Castro-Fields wants to be lockdown cornerback
With Penn State in need of a lockdown cornerback, Tariq Castro-Fields likely is in line to play a key role for the Nittany Lions as they strive to take yet another step on the path to being an elite football program.
In three of the past four seasons, the Lions have won 11 games, perhaps putting them on the cusp of becoming one of the elite like Big Ten rival Ohio State. If Penn State wants to maintain or improve that record, the black shoes of John Reid, who was drafted in late April by the NFL Houston Texans, must be filled. For now, at least, the leading candidate is Castro-Fields.
“I don’t really feel pressure because that’s my role, and I’m just going to capitalize off it,” Castro-Fields said recently. “I think I am ready for it. I really know the defense, I’m able to play the field and the boundary, and I think, regardless of whoever guards who, you have trust in the rest of the corners. We need everyone to kind of step up and be the top corners.”
The Penn State secondary was gashed at times last season and allowed 251.5 passing yards per game, the
32nd-worst mark in the country.
Castro-Fields, however, showed the potential to be a star with two interceptions, 10 passes defended and 52 tackles. But an undisclosed injury slowed his progress. Defensive recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith noticed a difference in Castro-Fields’ performance as the year went on.
“From that injury on, he was a different player,” Smith said. “He wasn’t as confident, he wasn’t as sure of himself, and because of the injury — not to make an excuse. He knows and recognizes it. We’ve talked about it.”
Castro-Fields confirmed the ailment set him back.
“It was a frustrating process, but the coaches had a plan for me, and I just tried to do the best I could,” Castro-Fields said. “Whatever they asked me to do, wherever my role was for the team, I wanted to do it. I wanted to do it to the best of my ability. It was kind of frustrating.”
Smith doesn’t want the previous adversity to hold Castro-Fields back.
“We need a lockdown corner that can handle the best receiver of whoever our opponent is,” Smith said. “We expect Tariq to be that guy. His season last year was almost like two different seasons. In the first half of the season, he came out the gate looking like a first-round draft pick.”
Castro-Fields knows the confidence that Smith has in him. He’s looking forward to showing for a full season as a senior.
“I was at my best when I was playing with a lot of confidence and being physical,” Castro-Fields said. “I thought I knew the defense well, which allowed me to play fast. My confidence was something that I was showing myself what I can do each game, and it helped.”