FSU QB Tommy Castellanos expresses remorse for leaving Boston College during season

Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos does not have any regrets about his decision to leave Boston College after two years — a move that ultimately led to him becoming a Florida State Seminole.

What he has had second thoughts about is the way he did it.

During a lengthy interview with ACC Network college football analyst Roddy Jones that aired on Tuesday night, but was recorded in July at ACC Kickoff, Castellanos expressed remorse about abruptly leaving the Eagles with three games remaining in their 2024 regular season.

“If I had to go back and do it again, I think that I owe my brothers a better explanation,” Castellanos said. “If I had to do it again, I would stay. And I would just go through the storm with them. Just because of all the work we put in together. All the relationships and bonds that are created with those guys. I feel like I owe that to them — just to have sat through whatever I was going through and put my problems aside and not be selfish. And just be there for them, support them through no matter what it was.

“I really wish … if we could go back in time, I would just sit. And I would just watch.”

When it came to the reasons behind his departure, Castellanos declined to get too specific, but he flatly denied that it was because he got benched during Boston College’s game against Syracuse.

He said his decision was more “personal” in nature and it was a result of a meeting he had with BC head coach Bill O’Brien after that game.

“Only me and Coach O’Brien and whoever else was in that room really know what really happened,” Castellanos said. “But it was pretty much easy for me to leave where you’re not wanted.”

The wounds from Castellanos’ quick BC exit were reopened during a summer interview with On3’s Pete Nakos when he raved about the talent at Florida State and was thought to be disparaging his former teammates.

“I didn’t have nearly as much talent as I do here,” Castellanos said at the time. “I didn’t have the guys. But over here, I have some of the best athletic guys. I’m not the fastest one on the team over here. I’m not the most athletic guy on the team.”

The dual-threat quarterback explained during his ACC Network interview that he wasn’t trying to put down the Eagles; he simply wanted to share his excitement about his new team.

But his biggest regret was his decision to leave early.

“If I had to go back, and I hope they see this, I wish that I could have sat there and went through the rest of the year with them and watched them play and watched them grind and continue to [pursue] their goals,” Castellanos said.

Among the other topics discussed during his wide-ranging interview with Jones was the work Castellanos has put in to improve as a passer this off-season. He talked about getting the chance to work with renowned quarterback coach Darrell Colbert Jr., who has mentored Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward and others, and he said it has had a positive impact on his accuracy and arm strength.

Castellanos said he has always had a quick release, but Colbert helped fix some issues with his footwork and lower body.

“What people don’t understand with quarterbacks is that throwing the football is not from here — your arm and your upper body — it’s your lower body and your base,” the Florida State quarterback said. “If you get overextended or you have a wide base or you’re off-platform, then you’re not gonna be as accurate. So we kind of fixed a lot of things with my base and my lower body and core and stuff like that.”

Castellanos said he also is in a much better frame of mind going into the 2025 season.

After rushing for over 1,100 yards and passing for 2,248 in his first year at BC, Castellanos said he wanted to prove he could be an effective passer in O’Brien’s pro-style offense. And that led to him staying in the pocket too long, trying to wait for receivers to break open, and ultimately taking too many sacks and missing opportunities to run.

Now, with the blessing and encouragement of Florida State coach Mike Norvell and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, Castellanos said he plans to do what he does best — beat teams with his arm and his legs.

“This year, I don’t care what people say,” Castellanos said. “You can say run, throw, whatever. I’m just gonna go out there and play football and be me. And I think that’s what’s going to be best.”

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