Matt Castelo
Encyclopedia
Matt Castelo is a professional American and Canadian football
linebacker
free agent
. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks
as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football
for the San Jose State Spartans
.
Castelo has also been a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
.
in 2004. In his first game against Washington, Castelo had an interception. In 2005, Castelo finished the season with 91 tackles.
honors, and was the WAC Defensive Player of the Week. In the 2006 New Mexico Bowl, Castelo had 18 tackles and 2 forced fumbles and was named the defensive MVP of the bowl. He was named to ESPN.com's all-Bowl team.
, Castelo returned as the nation’s top returning tackler in terms of career average with a 9.42 per game. His 292 tackles ranked him third among all Division I-A football players. He was listed on 2007 Nagurski Award and Football Writers Association of America All-America watch lists. He was named to the all-WAC
first team with teammate Dwight Lowery
.
, but after going undrafted, signed with the Seattle Seahawks
. Casetlo was released from the Seahawks August 12, 2008.
on May 21, 2009. He was released on June 25, 2009.
Gridiron football
Gridiron football , sometimes known as North American football, is an umbrella term for related codes of football primarily played in the United States and Canada. The predominant forms of gridiron football are American football and Canadian football...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the San Jose State Spartans
San José State Spartans
The San Jose State Spartans is the name of the athletic teams representing San Jose State University. SJSU sports teams compete in the Western Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division I level...
.
Castelo has also been a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
.
Early years
Castelo prepped at Valley Christian where he earned All-Central Coast Section honors twice. As a senior, he had 128 tackles, 10 sacks and was named league’s ‘Linebacker of the Year’.College career
Castelo started with the San Jose State SpartansSan José State Spartans
The San Jose State Spartans is the name of the athletic teams representing San Jose State University. SJSU sports teams compete in the Western Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division I level...
in 2004. In his first game against Washington, Castelo had an interception. In 2005, Castelo finished the season with 91 tackles.
2006
In 2006, Castelo was ranked number-two nationally with 165 total tackles. He earned second-team all-WACWestern Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
honors, and was the WAC Defensive Player of the Week. In the 2006 New Mexico Bowl, Castelo had 18 tackles and 2 forced fumbles and was named the defensive MVP of the bowl. He was named to ESPN.com's all-Bowl team.
2007
In 20072007 San José State Spartans football team
The 2007 San Jose State Football Team represented San Jose State University in the 2007 college football season. This season was the Spartans' third season with Dick Tomey as head coach-Pre-Season:...
, Castelo returned as the nation’s top returning tackler in terms of career average with a 9.42 per game. His 292 tackles ranked him third among all Division I-A football players. He was listed on 2007 Nagurski Award and Football Writers Association of America All-America watch lists. He was named to the all-WAC
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
first team with teammate Dwight Lowery
Dwight Lowery
-2008:Impressed with Lowery's versatility and ball skills, the New York Jets would draft him in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft as a cornerback/safety. An injury to cornerback Justin Miller would see Lowery debut in his first NFL game against the Miami Dolphins; Lowery performed modestly...
.
Seattle Seahawks
He was considered a prospect for the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, but after going undrafted, signed with the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. Casetlo was released from the Seahawks August 12, 2008.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Castelo signed with the Hamilton Tiger-CatsHamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
on May 21, 2009. He was released on June 25, 2009.