Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields faced a big decision as he entered this offseason fresh off his senior campaign in 2020.

The cornerback appeared in just three games last season due to an injury. One of the games he missed was senior day, and after talking it over with his mom, coaches, and high school coach, Castro-Fields made the decision to take the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA and return to Penn State football for his fifth year.

“Not being out there with my brothers really struck home with me,” Castro-Fields said in reference to last season’s senior day.

While out with his injury last season, Castro-Fields still made sure he was productive by continuing to learn different aspects of the defense. Additionally, as the leader of the cornerback room, he took it upon himself to help out the younger players.

“I guess when I wasn’t playing I was doing a lot of coaching, and just sitting back and reflecting, and just trying to help all the young guys out as best I could,” Castro-Fields said. “I kinda learned the defense even more while I was just watching just because I wasn’t doing it physically, but mentally, I was there 120%.

“I think my knowledge of the playbook grew a lot during the season,” he continued. “Film study grew a lot cause I was watching more film than ever when I was hurt just so I could help the young guys. I just didn’t want Joey [Porter Jr.], Marquis [Wilson], Keaton [Ellis] to go out there and not be prepared. That was the main thing…If they’re doing good, that reflects on me just because I’m the leader of the cornerback room.”

Castro-Fields added that the relationships and trust between him and some of the younger players continued to grow as the season went on.

One of the players Castro-Fields mentioned was Joey Porter Jr., who had a breakout 2020 campaign. Porter started eight games as a redshirt freshman for the Nittany Lions and totaled 33 tackles, four passes defended, and one sack en route to being named third-team All-Big Ten by the media.

Keaton Ellis, Marquis Wilson, and Daequan Hardy all saw an expanded role in Castro-Fields’ absence last year and each impressed in one way or another. While it’s less than two weeks into spring ball, Castro-Fields already has high hopes for the cornerback group heading into 2021.

“I was just talking to [Coach Terry Smith] yesterday,” Castro-Fields said. “I’m super excited where the group is right now and what we can accomplish in the near future. Them guys got a lot of experience with me not being able to play last year. Just getting that little knowledge and then also having the experience to kinda play more free. And they can still lean on me whenever they need to — any questions or whatever it may be.

“They’re getting their own way of things and developing their own skills and things like that,” Castro-Fields added. “I’m super excited for the group we have right now.”

A new entree to the group is early enrollee Kalen King. The four-star recruit from Detroit, Michigan arrived on campus this winter alongside his brother, Kobe. Castro-Fields thinks King is going to be “real special.”

“I think the main thing as a young guy, you have to be able to listen and come in and just humble yourself,” Castro-Fields said. “Like obviously, you were great at high school, but college football is a whole different ballgame as far as speed, as far as knowledge, and if you just humble yourself, then like you can get there even faster. That’s what [King’s] doing. He asks me a ton of questions, he’s always on the jugs, he’s always just working hard. I think his future is really bright.”

Another addition to Penn State’s cornerback room is South Carolina transfer Johnny Dixon. He totaled 34 tackles and five passes defended in eight starts for the Gamecocks in 2020, and he’s already blending nicely with Terry Smith’s group.

“Johnny’s a great guy,” Castro-Fields said. “He’s a great addition, he’s learning how to practice the Penn State way… He’s fitting in the locker room really well. He just has to keep growing in the system, keep asking a lot of questions. He’s real competitive so that’s all you can really ask for.”

Besides helping out his fellow teammates, Castro-Fields has some work of his own to do as he enters his fifth season with the program. He said he has “a lot of wisdom within the system,” which allows him to focus on the little details instead of focusing a lot of his attention on the playbook.

After a frustrating 2020 season, one thing is certain for Castro-Fields — he’s ready to get to work.

“Just attack practice as hard as I can,” Castro-Fields said. “Just being consistent with techniques. Not taking any shortcuts as far as getting on the jugs, as far as getting extra work after practice, and even now just going as hard as I can to fix the little things that I need to. I feel like details is one of the main things that I’m focused on right now.”