Former Seminoles Quarterback Castellanos Eyes College Return

Former Florida State signal-caller Tommy Castellanos is considering a comeback tour in a college football stadium near you after receiving a gift from a Colorado judge.

An injunction handed down against the NCAA has given the Class of 2022 an extra year of eligibility, because that so-called “governing body of college athletics” located in Indianapolis excluded that class of athletes from their recent five-for-five eligibility guidelines.  

Castellanos quarterbacked the Seminoles in 2025, accounting for over 3,300 yards of total offense and 24 touchdowns. He helped lead Florida State to a 31-17 upset win over the Alabama Crimson Tide that should have been the tone-setter for a successful season. But instead, the Seminoles limped to a 5-7 season, with four of their losses being by eight points or fewer.

Throwing his name in the ring at the 2026 NFL Draft, Castellanos did not receive any interest from any teams and went undrafted. Now it appears he will give his all one more time on a college gridiron.

Castellanos is interested in reprising his role as a quarterback or as an athlete on offense, and some schools have already have expressed their interest. The timing of this ruling comes as fall camp is about to begin for most schools across the country. Most schools have named a starter at quarterback already, but others will have a quarterback battle in camp to see who the QB1 starter will be.

Wherever Castellanos lands, he will have about 15 practice sessions to get into game shape and learn the playbook.

NCAA President Charlie Baker, in a story by Daniel Hager of On3, expressed his concerns of the ruling handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeney,

“Without targeted intervention from Congress, college sports cannot set nationwide rules everyone can play by and without Congress, failed professionals will continue to use college sports as a fallback option — robbing the next class of young athletes of college scholarships,” said Baker in a statement.

“It is long past time leaders across college sports call for the immediate passage of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act — a bill supported by student-athlete leaders, Democrats, Republicans and NCAA schools from all three divisions. Today’s rulings and the chaos they bring to college sports are exactly why it’s time to pass this bill,” Baker said.

The season starts at the end of this month. Which college uniform, if any, Castellanos could be wearing is anyone’s guess. There is no doubt that a lot has changed in college football, and more changes are sure to come.

But, until the NCAA pulls their head out of the sand and shows some real leadership and installs some enforceable rules and guidelines, and keeps the courts and politicians out of college sports, these “fallback options for failed professionals” under the legal protection of injunctions will continue to exist.