Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos is petitioning the NCAA to reconsider his request for an extra season of eligibility.
Castellanos contends he should be granted a fifth season since he played in only five games in 2022 as a freshman third-stringer at UCF. One was a spot appearance as an injury replacement in the American Athletic Conference championship game.
Castellanos started for Boston College as a sophomore and junior, then transferred again to join the Seminoles for the 2025 season.
“Just weeks after Tommy’s participating (in the 2022 AAC title game), the NCAA issued a blanket waiver allowing future players in his exact situation to maintain their redshirt status,” Darren Heitner, the attorney representing Castellanos as he appeals, said in a statement Friday.
Heitner added, “Players today can participate in four regular-season games plus a conference championship game without losing eligibility.”
Castellanos completed 2 of 8 passes for seven yards as UCF fell 45-28 to Tulane in the 2022 AAC championship. The Knights tabbed him to fill in for John Rhys Plumlee, who exited with a hamstring injury, because backup Mikey Keene had opted out of postseason play to preserve his own redshirt status as he mulled a transfer.
“(Castellanos) played only because of circumstances beyond his control,” Heitner said. “(He) is being penalized for the timing. Considering the postseason exception that now exists, this case demands a fair resolution.”
Castellanos started every game for Florida State in 2025, connecting on 58.3% of passes for 2,760 yards and a 15-9 touchdown-interception split, as coach Mike Norvell’s team limped to a 5-7 record and lost six of eight ACC matchups.
The dual-threat quarterback totaled 557 yards and nine scores on the ground as Florida State’s leading rusher.
The Seminoles decided to bring back Norvell for a seventh year at the helm despite another losing season. They went 2-10 (1-7 ACC) in 2024 before Castellanos’ transfer.
–Field Level Media
