Penn State corner Tariq Castro-Fields goes in Round 6 of 2022 NFL Draft; who will he play for?
Former Penn State corner Tariq Castro-Fields now knows where his NFL career will begin.
The Nittany Lion was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in Round 6 with the No. 221 pick on Saturday in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Castro-Fields was one of a few members of this year’s Penn State draft class who could have ended up going just about anywhere and almost at any time when the selection process started back on Thursday. He’s the sixth former member of head coach James Franklin’s program to go off the board so far.
“I’ve just been trying to be myself through this process,” Castro-Fields said back at Pro Day last March.
“Trying to show who I am as a person. My character, my football knowledge, and everything like that, that Penn State has kind of taught me.”
It’s an approach that worked well for the Upper Marlboro, Md., Riverdale Baptist product.
Tracing Castro-Field’s path to the Draft
Castro-Fields played in 52 games for Penn State and started 30. He racked up 138 tackles (10 for loss), three interceptions, 25 pass breakups, and forced a fumble during his stint in blue and white.
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A three-time All-Big Ten selection, the corner played as a freshman for the Lions and made an impact throughout his career as one of the team’s top cover corners. Availability issues plagued him some during the shortened 2020 season. But, by and large, Castro-Fields was regularly called upon to defend an opponent’s best receiving threat. He also mentored a younger Penn State cornerbacks room during his final season with the Lions.
“Obviously being a fifth-year guy, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience,” corners coach Terry Smith said last September. “He’s a long, big, fast corner for us. But more importantly, he brings the experience factor.
“He understands our defense, he understands what Coach [Brent] Pry is trying to do with all the calls. He is a great communicator. He is super smart. He mentors and teaches our younger guys on the back end. So he is an invaluable member to our back end, and to our team.”
More: Best system fits for Tariq Castro-Fields in the NFL
Scouting report on Penn State corner Tariq Castro-Fields
Here’s what The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had to say about Castro-Fields in his annual ‘The Beast’ NFL Draft digest:
“Overall, Castro-Fields is a competitive press corner with projectable speed and athleticism, but he struggles to play under control against the pass and the run. He projects as a toolsy backup with the volatile talent to push for a starting job or fall off the depth chart if his consistency doesn’t improve.”
