2026 Getting to know Colton Castle from Newark Catholic
School/town: Newark Catholic (Newark, OH)
Positions played: WR/DB
Class: 2029
Height and Weight: 5’11”, 170 lbs
Jersey Number: 7
Awards won or earned: Varsity Football Letter, Outstanding Strength Training Student of the Year, Student of the Month
HUDL LINK: https://www.hudl.com/v/2T8wLx
Other sports played: None, but I might do Track & Field next year
Please
post something from last season that sticks out to you. It can be from a
game, practice, or something funny on the bus ride to or from the
game—any moment that sticks out to you.
Getting 2 interceptions in one game at Berne Union.
What have you done during the off-season to take your game to another level?
Lifting
6x a week, sprinting 2x a week, constantly becoming a better and more
explosive athlete, dialing in my routes, gaining weight, hitting macros,
and stretching.
How long have you been playing football, along with who or what got you started?
I’ve
been playing since 3rd grade, so this upcoming season will be my eighth
season. My mom got me into it. I had asked her before, but she wasn’t
sure about it at first. Since it was my first year at a new school, she
decided to let me play.
What's been your biggest moment as an athlete, any sport, any age?
Starting on Varsity as a freshman.
Can you break down your main assignment as a defensive back for readers?
My
job as a DB is to not allow explosive plays and contain the run. As a
DB, you’re not going to be perfect. It’s one of the hardest positions on
the field; you’re going to make mistakes. All that matters is that you
keep those small plays small, don’t make good players look like All
Americans.
Wrec or DB: which one do you feel you are better at?
While
I did only play DB last year, I feel that I’m better at WR. I feel like
I’m a good route runner, and I feel more comfortable in that position.
What makes you a good teammate?
I’m
never going to criticize you or yell at you. All that’s going to do is
make you play worse. As long as you’re giving effort, I’ll continue to
encourage you and help pick you up.
The Green Wave has been going
through some tough times on the field. What will the 2026 squad need to
do to ensure a winning season?
Last season doesn’t matter; it’s
in the past. We have a whole new coaching staff and a new class stepping
up to replace the graduating seniors. I think you can expect a winning
season. While I am only eligible for the first 5 games, I think this
team is going to shock people. We’ve got some studs.
What have been the biggest changes the new coaching staff has made within the football program?
While
I wasn’t here to experience last season at Newark Catholic, I will say
that these coaches are big on relationships. All of these coaches do a
great job encouraging players and building confidence. We have a
tradition at the end of practice to dap up, fist bump, or whatever hand
greeting you want to exchange, with all the coaches before you leave
practice. I’ve felt really welcomed as a transfer.
What game are you looking forward to the most this season? Explain
I
would say Lakewood if I could, but I won’t be playing that game. Of the
games I am playing, I would probably say Mount Vernon. That school
produces talent, and they’ve got multiple kids with offers; it would be
awesome to upset them.
As a younger player, which upperclassman would you go to if you were having football-related problems?
I’m
still getting to know everyone, but probably Kyler Dales (Senior, WR).
He’s the person that I’ve talked to the most because I’ve been running
offense with him since Day 1.
What is your game day routine?
Wake
up, stretch, go to school, and then study my film notes during school.
After school, I like to eat something that’s filling right after, and
then I really like to get into the zone. I don’t like talking to anyone
until the game starts. I put both headphones in, and I just stay to
myself. I like to stretch and get myself mentally prepped for about 30
minutes. Once we’re out on the field, I like to close my eyes for about
30 seconds and just think about the game.
Who is your favorite athlete?
I’m
a big Browns fan, so I’m probably going to have to go with Jeremiah
Owusu-Koramoah. If you asked me one or two years ago, I would’ve
probably said Nick Chubb, but now that he’s gone, I really like the game
that JOK brings.
What is a sport you love to play but lack the skill set to do?
I
think bowling is really fun, but I wouldn’t say I completely lack the
skill; I’m not bad. My buddies and I from my old school did say that we
might all bowl together our senior year, and I would also be able to go
back to Lakewood to do that because NC doesn’t have a bowling team.
What goes on your pizza?
I’ll really take anything, but I’m a big pineapple guy, and not just a little, I want a lot of pineapple in every bite.
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