Next Steps on Tariq Castro-Fields’ Path to Getting Paid

The Photo in the Dictionary Next to the Definition of ‘Game-Time Decision’ For Most of 2020, the Veteran Penn State Cornerback Surprisingly Put the NFL on Hold For One More Season of Saturdays Instead of Sundays 

So what can Tariq Castro-Fields do next season to boost his NFL Draft stock?

Well, I’m going to write approximately 1,000 words and kill a bunch of digital trees, but to answer that question just as well, really, two words would suffice: STAY HEALTHY.

In a season that COVID already abbreviated, TCF’s 2020 campaign shrunk further to more of a cameo. After flashing in man coverage vs. Indiana, and then being largely avoided vs. Ohio State, Castro-Fields suffered some sort of upper body injury (I think) midway through the 3rd Quarter of the Maryland debacle when assisting on a tackle. It’s tough to map out what exactly occurred during the play because TCF (top of the screen) gets obstructed from view and the BTN AV Club Intern working the camera doesn’t follow the ball.

After resting on the ground long enough for the director to run a graphics package showcasing Maryland’s offensive accolades, TCF got up and walked off the field without assistance. 

Of course, HIPAA fanboy James Franklin didn’t give the media a diagnosis, but whatever ailed TCF couldn’t have been THAT serious considering he traveled to Michigan and Rutgers – suiting up in full uniform and participating with the cornerbacks during warmups only to pull the plug on playing just before kickoff. During Franklin’s Tuesday Press Conference prior to the Michigan State regular season finale, Penn State’s head coach told reporters he thought, “there’s a good chance that we’re going to have Tariq this game.”

Nope. That didn’t happen. 

TCF never returned…so he returned!

A true senior last season, TCF theoretically would have had a redshirt option even if the NCAA didn’t declare 2020 an eligibility mulligan. But most of us figured (wrongly, of course) TCF’s hesitancy to do anything beyond stretching and backpedaling vs. air week after week after week meant he’d  move past the thought of performing in front of $85 cardboard house pets and was preserving himself for an NFL audition.

Instead, TCF borrowed from Jack Handey’s playbook and penned these ‘Deep Thoughts’ about his choice to stay at PSU on Twitter: “Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousands ways. A firm believer in everything having its season. All in, See you inna Fall.”

Assuming TCF’s injury isn’t more troubling than it appeared to layman’s eyes on BTN, the fifth-year senior will reclaim his starting role inna secondary and build upon a brief but occasionally brilliant “senior” season. 

Seems like 1,000 years ago, but TCF pretty much put a parking boot on eventual B1G Receiver of the Year and 3rd Team All-American Ty  Fryfogle in Penn State’s season opening win-that-wasn’t against Indiana. According to PFF, that game was Fryfogle’s lowest-graded regular season showing, as the Hoosiers’ playmaker struggled creating separation vs. TCF in man coverage. 

In this three-play coverage montage, TCF blankets Fryfogle like Linus  twice in the 4th Quarter then somehow gives up a glitch-in-the-Matrix reception despite breathing the same air as Indiana wideout 2-Jacolby Hewitt. 

This next play was the lone play we scouted vs. Indiana where TCF got beat in man coverage.  But despite giving up a full step pretty much immediately after the release at the LOS, TCF reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out a sly, crafty, Old-Man-at-the-Y move, stealthy tugging at the receiver without drawing a flag. In fact, in real-time, we didn’t think this deserved a flag. Upon further review, it DEFINITELY deserved a flag.

Presumably, Ohio State’s Ryan Day was equally impressed with TCF’s Week 1 tape, because the Buckeyes barely bothered the Nittany Lions veteran corner during their never-really-that-close 38-25 Whiteout* win. Justin Fields didn’t throw to TCF’s side of the field until more than midway through the 2nd quarter – a ho-hum hitch route for a minimal gain (you’ll see this later). Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields amassed 318 yards through the air on this ugly, lifeless evening…but only targeted receivers covered by TCF twice for a drop-in-the-ocean 17 yards.

Even though TCF let receivers catch passes 63 percent of the time the ball got flung in his direction, he showed some growth as a tackler. If you excuse the major TCF/Jaquan Brisker communication gaffe on Maryland’s first touchdown, TCF gave up a measly 3 Yards After Catch on 6 Surrendered Receptions…(hopefully that makes sense.)

In the last play of that montage, TCF beat the Maryland blocker to the spot, thus avoiding harassment prior to the tackle. The only instance we found where TCF had to fight through a blocker to make the play was this behind-the-LOS pass vs. Indiana…and honestly, without replay, it’s hard to tell whether TCF made a superb defensive play, or if Lamont Wade saved him from looking absolutely silly. Either way, Wade/TCF foiled a play where Indiana had numbers.

TCF earned a career-high tackling grade from PFF in 2020, albeit in a limited sample size. That last sentence is a bit misleading, though, because TCF’s personal best was still worse than 23 other Penn State defenders and last among Week 1 secondary starters Wade, Brisker, and Joey Porter, Jr. So there’s definitely room for improvement there. 

TCF made 9 tackles and missed 2 last season. Unfortunately, the misses really, REALLY mattered – in-space whiffs that could have halted (or at least slowed down) monster gains.

One: 

Two: 

Aside from tackling, though, it’s kinda difficult to pinpoint TCF’s “Next Steps” because who knows how far he would have traveled/progressed as a pro prospect sans injury…and whether playing a full slate would have completed his collegiate journey altogether. Odds are, it would have…but that didn’t happen, so he’s back inna Blue and White.