STACK followed dozens of the NFL’s top prospects as they hit the gym to get ready for the NFL Combine and beyond. In our Path to the Pros video series, we’ll show you how these world-class athletes trained for the next level. After opening the series on defense, we shift to the offensive side of the ball to highlight former Stanford Cardinal guard David DeCastro.


If Andrew Luck is the most surefire NFL prospect in recent history, how would you classify his most trusted offensive lineman at Stanford University?
From 2009, when they were both redshirt freshmen, to 2011, Luck had the good fortune to line up behind David DeCastro, the top-ranked guard in the 2012 NFL Draft.
As if being the standout lineman in a pro-style offense run by the next great NFL QB isn’t enough of an endorsement, consider what DeCastro and the Cardinal offensive line was able to accomplish during his three seasons on The Farm:

• DeCastro started all 39 games at right guard during his three-year career
• He anchored an offensive line that allowed only 24 sacks in three seasons
• His stalwart pass protection helped Luck set school career records for passing efficiency, completion percentage and touchdowns
• Stanford’s running game amassed three of the top four single-season rushing totals in school history

DeCastro has aced every test in his pre-draft process, none more convincingly than the NFL Combine. Measuring 6’5” and weighing 315 pounds, DeCastro displayed elite lateral and change of direction speed, leading all offensive linemen with a time of 7.3 seconds in the Three-Cone Drill. Even more impressive was his performance in position-specific drills, where he showed exceptional athleticism and awareness, leaving no question about his potential to be a plug-and-play guard from Day One at the next level.
“What it comes down to for me is remembering what I did to get to the point where I’m at—where all of these people are saying nice things about me—and just focusing on doing the little things I did to get here,” DeCastro says.