WORCESTER — WPI Football graduate student Josh Castro (Pittsburgh, PA) has been named to the D3football.com All-Region I Third Team Defense as a punter, as announced by the organization recently.
Curry running back Montie Quinn was named the All-Region 1 Team Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season as Eastern's safety Jason Bateman was tabbed as the region's Defensive Player of the Year. Eastern coach Billy Crocker, who led the Eagles to the third round of the NCAA playoffs in the program's third varsity season, is the Region 1 Coach of the Year.
NCAA Division III realigned Division III football into six regions in 2021. Region 1 includes the Conference of New England, Eastern Collegiate Football Conference, Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, Middle Atlantic Conference, New England Small College Athletic Conference, New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference.
Castro's latest honor adds to an extraordinary postseason résumé for the graduate student, who was previously selected to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America First Team for Special Teams, earned New England Football Writers Association (NEFW) College Division All-New England Team recognition, and collected a pair of All-NEWMAC postseason citations following the 2025 campaign.
A true dual-threat contributor, Castro delivered one of the most dominant punting seasons in program history while simultaneously serving as a key offensive weapon for the Engineers. Castro totaled 2,675 punting yards and averaged 44.6 yards per attempt, highlighted by a school-record and career-long 94-yard punt. The graduate student utility player recorded 20 punts of 50 yards or more, pinned opponents inside the 20 on 22 occasions, and registered seven touchbacks and seven fair catches across nine games.
Castro's special teams excellence earned him All-NEWMAC First Team honors as a punter, while his versatility on offense resulted in Second Team recognition as a wide receiver. The Pittsburgh standout hauled in 36 receptions for 435 yards, averaging 12.1 yards per catch, and totaled two receiving touchdowns as he produced a standout performance in WPI's 15–13 road win at Husson, posting 110 receiving yards and a touchdown, and added 22 rushing yards to his offensive output.
Castro's season was capped by national recognition, as he was named to the AFCA All-America First Team, becoming one of just three Division III special teams players selected nationally and his selection to the D3football.com All-Region I Team further solidifies his standing among the elite specialists in Division III football.
With this year's regional honor for Castro, he becomes the program's 15th selection to the D3football.com's regional list under the direction of head football coach Chris Robertson.
WPI finished 2-8 overall and 1-6 in the NEWMAC in 2025.
D3football.com Release
