Former Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos is headed to Texas Tech, with multiple reports saying he committed to the Red Raiders on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Castellanos’ path has taken him from Central Florida to Boston College and then Florida State, and now he’s back in the mix after being granted another season of eligibility. That extra year came after a judge in Kentucky state court issued a temporary restraining order on Aug. 21.
His status may still be tied up in the wider eligibility fight. On Aug.
26, Big 12 athletic directors joined the Big Ten and SEC in unanimously voting to ban professional players from returning to the league, according to multiple reports. It remains unclear whether Castellanos falls under that rule, since he went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and only appeared in rookie minicamp with the Miami Dolphins.
There’s at least one recent comparison in the same lane. Former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick received an extra season of eligibility and has since transferred to UCLA, and he remains eligible even after the Big Ten passed a similar ban because he also only appeared in rookie minicamp.
For Texas Tech, the bigger question is how Castellanos fits on the field. Will Hammond is set to start at quarterback, but Castellanos could still factor in as a backup or even as a multi-use offensive piece. At Florida State’s pro day, he worked through wide receiver drills, a sign that he may not be limited to one spot.
The 5-foot-11 quarterback brings a long résumé. He started 32 games and threw for 6,449 yards with 48 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. His legs were often his best weapon, though, as he ran for 1,984 yards and 24 touchdowns, including 78 rushing yards in Florida State’s Week 1 upset of Alabama last season.
Texas Tech already added high-end transfer Brendan Sorsby to the quarterback room this offseason, but Hammond is the one who will lead the offense after Sorsby was ruled ineligible following an investigation that uncovered his run of sports gambling.
Hammond is returning from an ACL tear in his right knee, but is expected to be ready for Week 1. That gives Castellanos a chance to provide insurance at quarterback and possibly help elsewhere if Hammond isn’t fully back to form.
Texas Tech opens the season against Abilene Christian on Sept. 5, leaving Castellanos just a few days to catch up if the Red Raiders want him in the mix early.
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