Florida State recently secured its quarterback for 2026 in four-star Jaden O’Neal. However, shortly after last season ended, the Seminoles landed Thomas Castellanos in the transfer portal last December, which stabilized the quarterback spot for 2025.
After two years with the Boston College Eagles, Castellanos wanted to return to a style of football that suited his talent, which he felt was comprised at Boston College. He’s only going to play at FSU for one season. With that being said, Castellanos is playing for a lot of people this upcoming season and not just himself.
“This could be it, right here,” Castellanos told On3’s Pete Nakos. “All they need is one season and one year. I feel like I have the skill set to be one of the best. Now I just have to turn this thing around for these guys, for this community, this fan base and the staff. I’m not just playing for Florida State. I’m playing for coaches who are fathers and who have homes and families here. I’m trying to save jobs and win.”
The Seminoles weren’t done any favors to kick off the 2025 campaign. Their first game will be at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Granted, head coach Kalen DeBoer has only been there for one season and they aren’t quite what they used to be, but they’re still Alabama, and they’ll have a talent advantage going into the first game of the year.
Don’t tell that to Castellanos, though. Not only is he looking forward to the challenge of playing Alabama, he feels he’ll be a nightmare for them to contain.
“I’m excited, man,” said Castellanos. “People, I don’t know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.”
Last season was a nightmare for FSU. They went 2-10 on the season, which included a 1-7 record in the ACC. The Clemson Tigers are the team to beat in the conference, and there’s other schools like the Miami Hurricanes and SMU Mustangs the Seminoles will have to contend with.
Much like his views on Alabama, Castellanos isn’t lacking any confidence on what he’ll be able to do in conference play this season.
“And then the ACC. I feel like I tore the ACC up by my damn self for the last two years, and now I’m with a squad. I hope people don’t think that Florida State is going to be the same team it was last year because we have weapons. People can’t just sit back in zone coverage and watch me.”
Castellanos has spent the offseason working closely with his new weapons such as Duce Robinson and Jayvan Boggs to get ready for what will be an important year for Florida State. Hopefully, what’s being said will translate on the field.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU quarterback explains what he’s playing for in 2025
Reporting by Matthew Lenix , FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
