David DeCastro - Steelers Wallpaper

David William DeCastro (born January 11, 1990) is an American football guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Stanford University, and earned unanimous All-American honors. The Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and was considered one of the best guards prospects available.

Early years

DeCastro was born in Kirkland, Washington. Of South African descent, DeCastro grew up in Bellevue, where he attended Bellevue High School, where he was teammates with Stephen Schilling. He grew up a Seahawks fan, idolizing Steve Hutchinson.

Also a standout athlete, DeCastro competed for the school's track & field team as a shot putter. He got a top-throw of 17.93 meters at the 2008 Washington 3A-4A State T&F Championship, winning the event. He also competed in the discus (top-throw of 37.24 meters).

Considered a three-star prospect by Rivals.com he was listed as the No. 11 center in the class of 2008. He chose Stanford over offers from Washington, Washington State, and Oregon State.

College career

DeCastro attended Stanford University in Stanford, California, where he was a member of the Stanford Cardinal football team from 2008 to 2011. He did not play in any games as a freshman in 2008. As a redshirt freshman in 2009 he started all 13 games at right guard. He was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection and a first team freshman All-American by College Football News. As a sophomore in 2010 he started all 13 games and was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection. Following his junior season in 2011, he was again a first-team Pac-12 selection, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American. Under head coach David Shaw, the Cardinal finished 11-2 DeCastro's final season. Afterward he decided to forgo his final season of college eligibility and enter the NFL Draft.

Professional career

In October 2011, Sports Illustrated′s Tony Pauline ranked him as the No. 17 prospect on his midseason draft board. As the season progressed, he solidified that status as a first-round draft pick, being projected anywhere from No. 11 to No. 24 in pre-combine mock drafts. In a decent performance at the NFL Combine, DeCastro impressed scouts with "excellent movement skills." Still considered the top guard prospect available in the draft, he drew comparisons to Steve Hutchinson.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected DeCastro with the 24th pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was the first offensive guard taken in the first round by the Steelers since Kendall Simmons in 2002.

On June 23, 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed DeCastro to a four-year, $7.81 million rookie contract that also includes $6.35 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4.12 million.

In the third preseason game against the Buffalo Bills in 2012, DeCastro injured both his right ACL and MCL. After DeCastro was carted off the field, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stated that the injury was a "potentially severe" right knee injury. While engaged with Bills defensive tackle, Marcell Dareus, DeCastro's teammate, offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, fell on his right leg, thus causing the injury. On November 26, DeCastro was activated to the active roster, while Gilbert was placed on injured reserve. On December 9, 2012, DeCastro played in his first career game in a 24-34 loss at the San Diego Chargers. The next week, he earned his first career start during a Week 15 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He finished his rookie year starting the last 3 games of the 2012 NFL season.

In 2013, he started the season opener against the Tennessee Titans as the Steelers' right guard. DeCastro missed his first game of the 2013 NFL season, during a Week 9 loss to New England. He finished the season starting 15 games as the Steelers finished 8-8 for the second year in a row.

DeCastro returned in 2014 to complete his first full season after starting all 16 games of the regular season as the Steelers finished 11-5. On January 3, 2014, he played in his first career postseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.

On April 9, 2015, the Pittsburgh Steelers exercised the fifth-year option on DeCastro's rookie contract, paying him a salary of $8.07 million for 2016. He also received a $3.20 million signing bonus for 2016.

In his fourth season with the Steelers in 2015, DeCastro started in all regular season games and was elected to his first Pro Bowl.

On September 8, 2016, the Steelers signed DeCastro to an additional five-year, $50.00 million extension. The contract includes a signing bonus of $12.80 million. Together, both extensions bring his present contract to a six-year, $58.07 million deal including a total signing bonus of $16.00 million and signs him throughout 2021.

References

External links

• Pittsburgh Steelers bio
• Stanford Cardinal bio at the Wayback Machine (archived June 14, 2012)