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Tommy Castellanos injury update: FSU QB leaves game after hit, defender ejected

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh24 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
FSU QB Thomas Castellanos
Sep 20, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) during the first half against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Late in the fourth quarter, Florida State finds itself down seven points on the West Coast against Stanford. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos is leading a drive down the field, hoping to tie the game. After a play broke down, he took off, and took a late hit when sliding down.

Trainers instantly came onto the field to check up on him. Eventually, Castellanos was able to get back up his feet and walk off the field under his own power. Backup Kevin Sperry entered the game shortly after and will be the one tasked with putting a touchdown on the board for Florida State.

Officials also threw a flag on the play, calling targeting. The booth reviewed the play and confirmed the call, which saw the Stanford player get ejected. With under a minute remaining in the game, Castellanos made his way back to the locker room. You can check out the full sequence here.

Sperry played high school football at Denton (TX) Guyer, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 544 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Florida State flipped him late in the recruiting cycle after previously being committed to Oklahoma. But when things did not work out with the Sooners, Sperry committed to the Seminoles. The move is now paying off in a big way for head coach Mike Norvell, putting the true freshman in a big-time situation.

As for Castellanos, he is just over 50% when throwing on the night. Fifteen of his 29 passes have been completing, going for 251 yards. No touchdowns or interceptions are on the stat sheet. But as usual, the ground game is a big part of the equation too, adding 36 yards and a score on 13 carries.

Norvell will surely have an update on where Castellanos stands during his postgame press conference. If there is any positive, it’s how the schedule lines up for Florida State. Castellanos will have time to rest during a bye week. The Seminoles do not get back onto the field until Nov. 1 vs. Wake Forest. Doak Campbell Stadium will host the game as well, a venue they will only play in twice more.

If no comeback takes place, the record will fall to 3-4 overall. All four losses would be in ACC play after staring out the season in incredible fashion. Not what anybody expected after taking down Alabama in the season opener just a few weeks ago.