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Seminoles rave about FSU QB Tommy Castellanos in new 'Climb' episode

On3 imageby:Ira Schoffel•07/03/25•

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On3 image
FSU QB Tommy Castellanos appears to be settling in nicely with the Seminoles' offense during spring drills. (Aslan Hajivandi/Warchant)

If Florida State coaches or administrators were concerned about Tommy Castellanos’ recent bold comments in an interview with On3 reporter Pete Nakos, they apparently are not trying to lower his profile.

In the latest episode of, “The Climb,” an in-house documentary-style production that takes viewers behind the scenes of the Florida State football program, a good six minutes is spent profiling Castellanos and the impact he is expected to have in his first season with the Seminoles.

Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who actually recruited Castellanos to UCF four years ago and coached him there for one season, described the quarterback transfer as having the, “It factor.”

“His skill set really fits what we like to do offensively,” Malzahn said. “He’s a true playmaker with his feet and his arm.”

While Castellanos’ running ability is unquestioned — he rushed for over 1,100 yards two years ago at Boston College — it was his passing skills that drew some of the strongest compliments.

“He’s a natural playmaker,” Florida State wide receiver Duce Robinson said. “He’s one of the most athletic guys on this team. He makes some throws where it makes you put your head in your hands. Just like, ‘Man, like, how can you do this?’

“You don’t see that from very many guys who are just pocket-passers, much less guys who can create what he can create with his legs.”

FSU quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz praised Castellanos for working hard in the weight room to improve his strength and size, while still maintaining his speed and agility. And he explained that the Seminoles have every intention of letting Castellanos be the improvisational playmaker that he was at Boston College in 2023, when he became the first Eagles player to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in the same season.

“There are staples and foundational elements to quarterback play that, to play at an elite level, that you have to have,” Tokarz said. “That’s what we’re working on. But really, when it breaks down, we let Tommy go be Tommy. As long as he takes care of the football, it’s pretty good.”

Said Florida State head coach Mike Norvell: “I definitely think it’s an offense that will showcase all of what he can do, and has all of excited about what it can be.”

Norvell also gushed about Castellanos’ leadership skills and how much time he has invested into developing better chemistry between the players on the Florida State roster.

“He’s really poured so much into the guys around him,” Norvell said. “Getting to know them, allowing them to get to know him. Just spending that time. When you have that mentality, especially at that position, guys will rally. They’ll rally around you, they’ll rally with you. And I think Tommy is doing a wonderful job of earning that respect since he’s come here.”

Castellanos received some criticism from FSU fans on social media for some of his comments to Nakos in the On3 article. Along with saying he doesn’t believe Alabama will be able to stop him in the season opener on Aug. 30, the quarterback went on to say, “They don’t have Nick Saban to save them.”

The quarterback transfer expressed more confidence in his abilities during the episode of, “The Climb,” saying he hopes to be considered among the likes of Jameis Winston and Jordan Travis when his time at Florida State is done. But he also explained that his biggest goal is elevating the Seminoles’ program back to its previous heights after a disappointing 2024 campaign.

“Just trying to be the best me I can be every day and really lead these guys,” Castellanos said. “And try to turn this thing around.”

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