Family matters Castille chooses Tide; follows brother, father
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 6, 2004
Simeon Castille’s college of choice is Florida State &045; when he plays video games.
But when it comes to where the All-American high school senior will play college football, it’s Bama all the way.
On Saturday, the 6-1, 180-pound Castille ended national speculation by announcing he will attend the University of Alabama.
&uot;I told my brother two weeks ago that’s what the Lord laid on my heart &045; that’s where I wanted to go,&uot; Castille said while battling his
brother, Tim, in a game of NCAA Football on Sony PlayStation 2.
Simeon said being close to Tim, a freshman running back for the Crimson Tide, and his father, Jeremiah, head of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ chapter, was what ultimately led to his decision to pick Alabama from a list of schools that included LSU, Auburn, Virginia,
Louisville and others.
Castille made the announcement from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, where he traveled to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl broadcast live on NBC. He was one of 78 high school players selected from across the nation to compete in the game.
Castille said he was impressed with the speed and strength of top high school players such as receiver Adrian Arrington from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Adrian Peterson, a running back from Palestine, Texas, who is considered by many to be the top recruit in the country.
&uot;Being able to compete against those guys and being successful at it made me excited about playing college football,&uot; he said.
Simeon is the second Castille to participate in the game in the last two years, Tim was selected to the East squad in 2003 after completing his senior season at Briarwood.
Simeon said he is &uot;really close&uot; to his brother, Tim, and also said he looks up to his father as his &uot;mentor.&uot;
&uot;They were happy I made the decision to play with Alabama and be near them the next four years of my life,&uot; he said of the two.
Simeon Castille played safety and running back for Briarwood in his senior season, leading the Lions to a 5A state championship.
He finished the year with nine interceptions and more than 100 tackles.
On offense, Castille rushed 95 times for 538 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry