Here's why Tommy Castellanos remains optimistic about returning to FSU
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Florida State football (5-7 overall, 2-7 ACC) quarterback Tommy Castellanos’ eligibility status remains uncertain.
Castellanos is hoping to be granted one more year of eligibility by the NCAA.
After losing to Florida, 40-21, Saturday, Nov. 29, to end the season, Castellanos made clear that if given the chance to play a fifth season, he wouldn’t play anywhere else but for the Seminoles.
“I’ll be here at Florida State if I can,” Castellanos said.
“I told the guys the other day, win, lose, or draw, I’m living my dream. I’m at a Power Four school. Florida State is my dream school, playing quarterback is what five-year Castellanos always wanted to do. So, I appreciate the fan base, the community, Coach (Mike) Norvell, and Coach Gus Malzahn.”
Castellanos is appealing to a new NCAA eligibility rule. He appeared in five games during the 2022 season at UCF, including the AAC title game, where he was forced to burn his redshirt year due to injuries at the quarterback position.
Castellanos played two seasons at Boston College before joining the Seminoles this season.
Tommy Castellanos feels he played his best game vs. Florida
FSU did not deliver when needed to continue its season and earn a bowl bid after falling to the Gators for the second year in a row.
While for the most part, it has been a disappointing performance from both sides of the ball, Castellanos felt after the game that he had played his best game.
He completed 17 of his 28 passes for 249 yards and an interception. He also led the team in rushing with 77 yards and a rushing score. He would finish the year with 2,760 passing yards, which is a career-best for the former BC QB, 15 TDs, and nine interceptions.
He had a QBR of 70.8, ranking 34th nationally. Castellanos believed he had grown as a quarterback during his time at FSU and hopes to continue to develop if he returns to the Seminoles next year.
“I just think I probably have to improve on just being a better me. I think there are times, like I think the Miami game, I kind of had a couple errors or mental mistakes, but other than that, I think I fight, I play hard, I play winning football,” Castellanos said.
Tommy Castellanos sees bright future in FSU football
If Castellanos is able to return to FSU, he would at least have something to work with on offense. That played a significant role in his decision to return to FSU one more time.
“So, I just think having another opportunity to come back and really have the great group and the core of leaders that we already have, and then go and get some help, I think we’ll be fine,” he said.
The one player that has emerged is wide receiver Lawayne McCoy, who had a career game against the Gators with 117 receiving yards and a touchdown on six catches. He spoke highly of sophomore receiver, expecting to make a leap next season, and hoping to be part of his progression.
“I think I’ve been pretty much saying it all year,” Castellanos said.
“Lawayne is, if not the best, one of the best receivers on this team. Just the whole package-wise, route running, catching the football. I think he showed them what he can do here at the end, but I think next year will be a big year for him.”
If Castellanos returns, it could be a stepping stone for more impactful players to return for another year, such as Duce Robinson, a 1,000-yard receiver.
Micahi Danzy is having a breakout season in his first year as a receiver, and Jayvan Boggs, who has been in and out of line due to injuries, is coming back for his sophomore season. On the downside, the Seminoles must replace all of their starting offensive line.
FSU begins its offseason, and Castellanos remains optimistic about the direction the program is heading and believes the Seminoles will be better than the previous years.
“That’s why I say next year and this offseason just having like knowing that those are your guys and just geling together and meshing them well,” Castellanos said.
“I think they’ll be pretty good next year.”
Florida State football 2025 schedule
- Aug. 30, Alabama, W,31-17
- Sept. 6, East Texas A&M,W77-3
- Sept. 20, Kent State, W, 66-10
- Sept. 26, at VirginiaL 46-38 double OT
- Oct. 4, Miami,L, 28-22
- Oct. 11,Pittsburgh,L, 34-31
- Oct. 18, at Stanford,L, 20-13
- Nov. 1Wake Forest, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 8 at Clemson, L 24-10
- Nov. 15 Virginia Tech, W, 34-14
- Nov. 21 at North Carolina State, L, 21-11
- Nov. 29 at Florida,L, 40-21
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: QB Tommy Castellanos wants to return to FSU football for fifth year
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