The NFL season is finally here! During the lead-up to the 2020 season we saw a lot of former XFL players get tryouts and even signed by multiple NFL franchises. That doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle Tweeted a list of NFL workouts yesterday and you may have seen a familiar face. Former Houston Roughnecks kicker Sergio Castillo had earned a tryout with the Cleveland Browns.
NFL workouts and visits pic.twitter.com/OGFm4hXcfZ
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 16, 2020
Prior to the NFL season, Castillo also tried out for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but unfortunately did not earn a spot on the team.
Castillo was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL’s Supplemental Draft on November 22, 2019. During his time with the Roughnecks, Castillo knocked in 6-of-9 attempts during the shortened XFL season.
Most recently he opted out of his CFL contract after the league canceled its 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Castillo played in four CFL seasons, appearing with the BC Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ottawa Redblacks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
He has converted 80 of his 92 field goal attempts during his time in the CFL with a long of 57 yards. Totaling a 44.4 yard punting average on 134 punts over 38 total games.
He played college football at West Texas A&M, converting 38 of 49 field goals with a long of 56. He also converted 174 of 177 extra points and finished his college career third all-time in scoring in school history. Castillo went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft but was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent, appearing in one preseason game before being cut.
This is just another of how the XFL worked. We’re hoping to see Castillo in the NFL this fall. If somehow he doesn’t make a team, we;d love to see him re-join the Houston Roughnecks when the league picks back up (whenever that may be). We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about this or any other transactions.
