Tommy Castellanos declares himself as not a big hitter: 'I don't want to be touched'

Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos has a ton to prove this year, as he departed from the Boston College program mid-season in order to prove his worth as a quarterback elsewhere. Florida State is this elsewhere, coming off its worst season in program history.

One year removed from narrowly missing the 2023 College Football Playoff with a 13-0 record, the Seminoles went 2-10 last year and finished dead last in the ACC. Poor quarterback play was a major key to this disastrous season, as Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek combined for just seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in relief of starter D.J. Uiagelelei (did not play following Sept. 28 game against SMU).

Castellanos will look to step seamlessly into the role and help lead the ‘Noles back to a bowl game and possibly contend for an Atlantic Coast Conference title once again. In eight games last season, the Miami native passed for 1,366 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions before he was unceremoniously benched for Grayson James.

The former Eagle discussed how he has improved the most over the offseason during a media opportunity on Tuesday. Here, he revealed that he has gotten much better at knowing when a play is over and not forcing something that isn’t there. However, he once again fueled the fire of opposing fanbases when claimed that he ‘doesn’t want to be touched.’

“I feel like through the course of my years I’m not really a big hitter type of guy,” Castellanos said. “I don’t really want to be touched, so I’ll go down and slide and stuff like that. Think one of my biggest improvements this spring and summer was just knowing when the play is over and throwing the ball at someone’s feet or out of bounds or just going down.”

Castellanos will be tested early by Alabama defense in opener

“I think that’s one of the biggest jumps I’ve made and that’s really what I needed. There were times I tried to extend a play and take a loss or get sacked for three or four (yards). So I think that’s one of my biggest improvements is just knowing the play is done. Let’s play the next play.”

This sentiment will be tested early, as Florida State opens its season against Alabama on Aug. 30. Castellanos, who has now put a target on his back after revealing that he doesn’t like to be touched, will certainly be feeling the heat from the Crimson Tide defense following his comments he made earlier this offseason.

“I’m excited, man,” Castellanos told On3’s Pete Nakos in an exclusive interview in June. “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.”

Kick-off for Castellanos’ highly anticipated clash with the Crimson Tide is scheduled for 3:30 PM on ABC.