Thomas Castellanos explains preseason trash talk toward Alabama

On Saturday, Florida State upset No. 8 Alabama in stunning 31-17 fashion. All eyes were on Seminoles quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who turned heads when he trash talked Alabama this offseason.

“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,” Castellanos told On3’s Pete Nakos in June. “I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.”

Considering Florida State was coming off a 2-10 season and Castellanos had delivered a less than ideal campaign at Boston College in 2024, most college football fans laughed off the transfer QB’s comments. However, on Saturday, Castellanos was the one laughing.

Of course, he wasn’t the only one with a chip on his shoulder. After the victory, Castellanos explained he and his teammates’ mindset entering their showdown against the Crimson Tide.

“I wasn’t a part of [the 2-10 season] but I had my own problems in coming here and stuff like that. So we all just kind of meshed those problems together, and we just came back from it,” Castellanos said. “Nobody likes a 2-10 season. Nobody likes stuff like that. And, they didn’t like it, and it was desperate.

“They told me, right when I got here, ‘Hey, look, you’re gonna be here, you’re gonna work with us. We’re desperate, and we want to win, and we want to go out there, and we want to get this thing back to where, Florida State football is supposed to be.’ … I just came in and they accepted me right away, and we just got to work. We’re all desperate like we said before in the offseason, and we came out victorious today.”

In the win, Castellanos completed 9-of-his-14 pass attempts for 152 yards, without throwing an interception. However, where Castellanos really shined, was in the ground game. He finished the win with 16 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown.

With two non-Power Four opponents up next for Florida State, Castellanos should be able to build his confidence even more before the Seminoles begin conference play. No matter who Florida State is facing, head coach Mike Norvell feels confident with Castellanos leading his team into battle.

“He really is a guy that, when he steps on the field, 10 guys on offense are better, and the guys he’s competing against defensively, they support him and embrace all things that he brings,” Norvell said. “He’s got great energy. But it’s not just what he says. That’s where people can get caught up because he’s somebody who’s not afraid to talk and put thoughts out there. 

“He does it with his actions. If Tommy doesn’t say a word, you would still feel the way he plays. I’m grateful he’s willing to put himself out there… I think Tommy is a remarkable competitor. I’m just proud of what he’s done up to this point.”