Last Updated on April 26, 2026 9:29 am
BOONE, N.C. — Anderson Castle, a Boone native and Watauga High School graduate, has signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft, capping a college career that took him from the High Country to two of the Atlantic Coast Conference's top programs.
Castle, a running back who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 220 pounds, spent four seasons at Appalachian State before transferring to Duke University for his final year of eligibility in 2025. His senior season with the Blue Devils was the best of his college career — he carried the ball 115 times for 488 yards and scored a career-high 12 rushing touchdowns, making an immediate impact after arriving from the Sun Belt Conference.
He was described by Duke athletics as a physical, bowling-ball-style runner who served as a complementary back alongside freshman Nate Sheppard. Castle had one of his biggest performances of the year against rival North Carolina, scoring three touchdowns in the Victory Bell game. He also earned ACC players of the week honors during the season.
Over four seasons at Appalachian State from 2020 to 2024, Castle was a team captain and appeared in 54 games, totaling 193 carries for 1,036 yards and eight touchdowns as part of a deep backfield rotation. He graduated from App State in December 2024 with a degree in sports management and was pursuing a master's degree in management studies at Duke's Fuqua School of Business during his final season.
Across his full college career, Castle totaled more than 1,500 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns at the college level.
Before his college career, Castle starred at Watauga High School, where he played quarterback and running back for the Pioneers. As a senior in 2019, he helped lead Watauga to a 13-1 record and the 3AA West Championship game — one of the deepest playoff runs in program history at the time. The Pioneers fell to Weddington in the West final, one win short of the state title game.
Castle was recruited to Appalachian State out of Watauga High School and signed with the Mountaineers in January 2020.
The Indianapolis Colts signed Castle following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, in which he went unselected. Undrafted free agent signings give players a shot at making an NFL roster through training camp and the preseason.
His signing was announced Saturday night by US Sports Management.
