Summer is here, sort of, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay.
Are we going to write about quarterbacks? Offensive tackles? Edge rushers? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans.
So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.
Film
Background Info
- Listed at 6-2/213 lbs.
- 4-Star recruit according to 247 Sports
- Invited to the Under Armor All-American game in high school
- First-Team All-SEC Freshmen in 2023
- Transferred from Florida to Kentucky
Notable career stats heading into 2026
- 169 Tackles
- 3.5 Tackles for a Loss
- 3 Interceptions
- 13 Passes Broken Up
Notable numbers from PFF heading into 2026
- 73.6 Career PFF Run Defense Grade
- 58.9 Career PFF Coverage Grade
- 114.3 QBR allowed when targeted
Strengths
- Good instincts to be in a position to make a play
- Meets runners in their lane or in space with no problem
- Has sound technique to not have ball carriers go through him
- Doesn’t over-commit on plays os he is not taken out of them
- Decent coverage ability
Player Summary
Castell is a rangy safety for the Gators in 2025, and now he heads to Kentucky to help give that defense a facelift. He doesn’t make you go wow in most areas, but his willingness to meet runners in their lane or to work the middle of the field is impressive. I think coverage skills need some work, but what he brings to the run defense is something. He has good size and length to be a factor in coverage, and his overall physical traits and build are encouraging for him to be a reliable safety in the NFL.
