Yesterday for day 53 we highlighted a center from middle America but for today we get to highlight one of the decades best run blockers that grew up and played college ball on the west coast.
Before he wore 66 for the Pittsburgh Steelers, David DeCastro helped keep Andrew Luck upright at Stanford. Coming out of Bellevue High School in Washington, DeCastro was a three star center that decided to play college ball at Stanford over Washington, Washington State, and Oregon State.
DeCastro went eight hundred and forty five miles south to play at Stanford where he transformed into an elite run blocker and pass protector. He was on the Stanford roster from 2008-2011. He did not appear in any games in 2008 as he redshirted.
The following season as a redshirt freshman, DeCastro started all 13 games at right guard. He was named all Pac-10 honorable mention and was on the All Freshman first team.
2010 was a breakout year for the Bellevue native as he was the starter at right guard in all thirteen games for the Cardinal. His great play earned him a spot on the all Pac-10 first team.
In DeCastros redshirt junior season, which was his final season, he started every game in dominant fashion. He was named first team Pac-12 and was given the nod as a unanimous All American.
DeCastros decided to forgo his senior season and enter into the draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him twenty fourth overall in the 2012 draft. He played in Pittsburgh from 2012 to 2020 before being cut this offseason.
Tomorrow for day 51, we’ll be examining a hard nosed linebacker that currently coaches at his BIG Ten alma mater.