Texas Tech emerges in Thomas Castellanos sweepstakes — An ACC team should get involved

Texas Tech emerges in Thomas Castellanos sweepstakes — An ACC team should get involved

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Texas Tech emerges in Thomas Castellanos sweepstakes — An ACC team should get involved

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Texas Tech has emerged as a team to watch in the Thomas Castellanos sweepstakes.

Castellanos, last playing for Florida State, was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA in Kentucky on Friday, which allows him to play a fifth season of college football. Castellanos began his career at UCF, before playing two seasons at Boston College and then last season at FSU.

The Red Raiders had thought they had their quarterback situation figured out after they signed Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby. However, reports came out revealing Sorsby bet at least $90,000 on sports bets while he was a college athlete.

Sorsby is no longer with Texas Tech, and the Red Raiders are set to start Will Hammond, unless..

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Castellanos to Texas Tech?

NCAA Football: Kent State at Florida State

Sep 20, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (0) warms up before the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

According to Nakos, both Texas Tech and Castellanos have been in contact since he was granted another year of eligibility, but the Red Raiders are doing their due diligence to make sure they won’t get in any trouble by signing the four-year player.

The last thing Texas Tech needs is another black mark. But Castellanos would be an intriguing addition. He threw for 2,760 yards last season, while tossing 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for 557 yards and nine scores.

Florida State has been a mess, but the Red Raiders have a team in place that would allow them to make another College Football Playoff run. As of now, Will Hammond is slated to start, but he is coming off a torn ACL.

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Who else could get involved with Castellanos?

NCAA Football: ACC Championship-Duke vs Virginia

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

If it’s not Texas Tech, an ACC program should get involved. That’s the Duke Blue Devils. It’s hard to tell if Duke has any interest in Castellanos, but the Blue Devils are familiar with him.

Darien Mensah left Duke at the 11th hour to go play for Miami and it left the Blue Devils scrambling. Duke opted to sign San Jose State transfer Walker Eget. He might be serviceable this season, but the ACC is fairly open after Miami, and it’s possible two teams get into the playoff.

If Duke could make a run at Castellanos, the Blue Devils could make a run at the ACC themselves. Manny Diaz is going to have a good defense in 2026 — he’s just missing a quarterback.

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