The 2024 season was a complete disaster for the Florida State Seminoles after the team went 2-10 and benched QB DJ Uiagalelei five games into the season.
On Wednesday night, former Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos posted on social media that he has committed to Florida State, per ESPN’s Eli Lederman.
There was a lot of anticipation coming into the 2024 season for the Seminoles with Uiagalelei taking over at QB. After going just 1-4 through the first five games and throwing six interceptions in that span, redshirt freshman Brock Glenn and true freshman Luke Kromenhoek split the remaining games at QB.
Even with the change at QB, the Seminoles only managed to win one more game the rest of the season, which came against FCS Charleston Southern.
To make matters worse, Kromenhoek, the No. 7 pocket passer in the 2024 class, entered the transfer portal earlier this week, which likely paved the way for Castellanos to make his decision.
While Castellanos lost his starting job to junior Grayson James in November, he had an impressive season at Boston College. Castellanos passed for 1,366 yards, 18 TDs and only five interceptions. Although he managed 194 yards and one TD on the ground in 2024, Castellanos rushed for 1,113 yards and 13 TDs in the 2023 season, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
Castellanos reunites with former head coach Gus Malzahn, who is now the offensive coordinator at Florida State. Castellanos committed to UCF in 2022 when Malzahn was there, but only appeared in five games.
As a team, Florida State needs more options in the passing game. Ja’khi Douglas, the only Seminoles player to surpass 500 yards receiving in 2024, is out of eligibility, so that presents some obstacles for the passing game unless Florida State reaches into the transfer portal.
The Seminoles also struggled to protect the quarterback in 2024, allowing an FBS-worst 49 sacks according to NCAA.com.
Although Castellanos is still improving as a passer, you cannot ignore his ability to run the ball. Considering Florida State’s offensive line issues from the 2024 season, that may become beneficial for the Seminoles.
If Castellanos can continue to improve in the passing game and utilize his dual-threat ability, Florida State would at least have some continuity at the QB position, which is something it lacked throughout a miserable 2024 season.
It is difficult to say how this will play out until Castellanos takes the field as a Seminole. After a disastrous season and inconsistency at the QB position, he should at least give Florida State something to get excited about on offense, especially with his play-making ability running the ball.
