Schuylkill Haven’s Niko Castillo signs to University of Minnesota
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Schuylkill Haven senior Niko Castillo officially signed to play football at the University of Minnesota on Monday morning alongside family and friends.
Castillo — who played running back and linebacker for the Hurricanes — verbally committed to Minnesota on Friday, Nov. 28 and is the 29th of 31 total commits in the Golden Gophers’ 2026 recruiting class.
He’s one of 28 commits from out of state and one of three commits from Pennsylvania.
“They were my biggest offer so I’d be stupid not to take it and coach P.J. Fleck is a great guy with a lot of energy and I look forward to playing for him,” Castillo said.
Schuylkill Haven’s Niko Castillo officially signs his national letter of intent to the University of Minnesota on Monday, December 9. QUINN BURKITT/SPORTS REPORTER
He visited the school and watched the Golden Gophers take on Wisconsin on Saturday, Nov. 29.
“The atmosphere was crazy, especially compared to a small school like Schuylkill Haven,” Castillo said. “I’ve got to get used to the weather and it was snowing a lot.”
Castillo stands at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds and closed out his senior season with 13 touchdown runs and 865 rushing yards as well as compiling 22 tackles for loss and 11 sacks on defense.
“I got taught a lot from coach (Mike) Farr over the last four years, so I’ll miss all the lessons,” Castillo said. “I’m going to miss all the support and everyone coming out.”
“Football has taught me about being unselfish and blocking for each other,” he added. “I don’t care who gets the ball, because I’m going to block no matter what.”
Minnesota has won a Big Ten record eight straight bowl games and is 6-0 in bowl games under Fleck. The Golden Gophers will take on New Mexico in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Dec. 26 in Phoenix.
Castillo’s breakout performance this past fall came against Minersville when he ran for 131 yards with two touchdowns and recorded four tackles in a 48-38 win on Sept. 18.
He also held football scholarship offers from Kent State and Stonehill College.
Castillo will arrive in Minnesota next June when the team reports for training camp.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos