Upland’s Trestin Castro is the defensive back opponents want to avoid – Redlands Daily Facts
UPLAND – Just three years ago, Trestin Castro dreamed of becoming USC’s next great wide receiver, the next Keyshawn Johnson.
Now the goal is to become the next Ronnie Lott or Troy Polamalu.
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He joined USC as a cornerback, but the senior from Upland might have taken a different path if luck hadn’t been on his side as a freshman.
“Growing up, he was (primarily) a receiver,” Upland coach Darryl Thomas said. “But we were actually going to play Etiwanda (Week 10 in 2021) and get a chance at the championship. We had two safeties down and I asked our freshman coaches to send me their best DBs.”
It was a move that paid off for the 6’1″ and 175lb Castro.
While the focus on the defensive side of the ball was an adjustment for Castro, the love of football was not. He began playing football at age 6 at Upland Pop Warner and only briefly considered another major sport.
“I played soccer for a year (when I was 9 or 10) and I really enjoyed it. I was invited to join a travel soccer team, but since it was football season, I chose football instead of soccer,” Castro said.
Castro owes much of his success to his mother, Katrina Castro. Katrina Castro played softball at Kaiser High and San Jose State and was the one who introduced him to football.
“She’s the main reason I’m here,” Trestin said. “She helped me with my DB coach. She contacted him and we started training, then I got recognition at Rhare Breed (sports academy).”
While Castro played on the varsity team out of necessity as a freshman, Thomas knew he could hold his own and had a bright future ahead of him.
“We had a good feeling because we saw how competitive he was,” Thomas said. “As a sophomore, he was the No. 1 receiver and he did a really good job of that.”
The transition from wide receiver to safety to cornerback wasn’t always easy.
“Corner is harder than safety,” Castro said. “When I first started playing corner, I wasn’t that good. But I got coached. At the end of the day, you’re against a receiver; it’s one-on-one. I liked playing receiver. But I like to intercept the ball and be a ball chaser. I also like to hit a lot.”
Castro said his success at Upland and with the Trillion Boys, a 7-on-7 team, has drawn attention from colleges.
A fan of USC since he was a kid, he had to hold back from immediately accepting the offer when the university offered him a scholarship last spring. He traveled to Texas, then to USC, and accepted in April.
With God and my family behind me, no one can stop me. USC is my home #FightOn ✌🏽@LincolnRiley @Doug_Belk @upland_fb @R_Scott6ix pic.twitter.com/63hL5sMSII
— Trestin Castro (@TrestinCastro) 2 April 2024
He plans to graduate early from Upland and enroll at USC in January.
“I liked the family aspect and the development aspect,” Castro said of his decision to attend USC. “They really liked my attitude, my can-do mentality.”
As a sophomore, Castro led the Highlanders with seven interceptions. He added 58 tackles and a sack in 14 games.
Last year, as his reputation grew and offenses tried to avoid him, his numbers dropped to four interceptions and 36 tackles in 11 games.
Since there is no scholarship pressure, he has other goals this season.
“I want to win a CIF ring with my team,” he said. “We’ve been close for many years, but we haven’t done it yet, and I also want to win the Baseline League. I want to get eight interceptions. That’s difficult because we play mostly run-heavy teams.”
— PETE MARSHALL
OTHER INLAND DEFENSIVE BACKS TO WATCH THIS SEASON
Isaiah Ayers, Sr., Murrieta Valley: In his first season with the Nighthawks, he collected 89 tackles.
Joshua Banks, So., Vista Murrieta: Earned All-Big West Conference honors as a freshman last season.
Jeremiah Brown, Sr., San Jacinto: In his junior season, he recorded 80 tackles and four interceptions.
Jonathan “JJ” Cravin, Sr., Chaparral: The newcomer from Idaho is likely to be the leader of the Pumas’ secondary.
Tahj Crutchfield, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga: The speedy cornerback has nearly a dozen college offers.
Amari Delk, Jr., Great Oak: Had a breakthrough season with four interceptions in his second season.
Michael Ephraim, Sr., Jurupa Hills: Co-Defensive Player of the Year, CIF Southern Section Division 7.
Cameron Holzendorf, Sr., Canyon Springs: Led the Cougars with five interceptions last season.
Kuron Jabari, Sr., Centennial: The transfer from Chaparral to UCLA agreed in the spring.
Andre Johnson II, Jr., Rancho Cucamonga: The transfer from the Colony joins the already talented secondary school.
Derrick Johnson II, Jr., Murrieta Valley: The big cornerback is likely to be an important signing next season.
Durand Johnson Jr., Sr., Chino Hills: The transfer from Jurupa Hills had 112 tackles and three picks.
Eric Mayes, Sr., La Sierra: Was one of the national leaders last season with seven interceptions.
Kaleb Moreno, Sr., Valley View: Led the Eagles secondary with eight interceptions last season.
Dawaun Nottingham II, Jr., Ayala: Was the team leader last season with three interceptions.
Sermons by Rodney “RJ”, Jr., Rancho Cucamonga: One of the best defensive backs of the 2026 class.
Sheldon Williams, Sr., Roosevelt: The returning starter led the team in tackles and interceptions.
LaRue Zamarano, Sr., Centennial: Michigan State is back to lead a talented secondary.
— ERIC PAUL JOHNSON
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