The addition of former Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos by Texas Tech seems like a certainty, but could new rules from the Big 12 potentially ruin the partnership?
LUBBOCK - The rumblings of a pairing of fifth-year quarterback Thomas "Tommy" Castellanos and Texas Tech are starting to become a deafening roar just a week and change away from the season opener.
Castellanos spent last season with Florida State and benefitted from a temporary injunction granted in Kentucky that allowed him an extra year of eligibility and an opportunity to hit the transfer portal.
Initial reports following the news immediately tabbed Texas Tech as a prime landing spot for the veteran looking for one last go-around at the collegiate level, with the Athletic being the first to float the idea.
Since then, several others have followed suit, including On3's Pete Nakos going all-on with an "expert prediction," whatever exactly that means, for the Red Raiders to land Castellanos.
With all the noise swirling, an official announcement from the pair seems less like an "if" and more like a "when."
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire has not directly addressed Castellanos by name, but has remained adamant that he is still in the market to add pieces to the roster if he believes it gives the Red Raiders the best chance for success.
He echoed those sentiments as recently as August 25 during a media availability at Texas Tech's preseason camp.
Despite the experience of Castellanos and the interest from Texas Tech, it does not appear that he would take over the reins from presumptive starter Will Hammond.
Instead, Hammond would lead the Red Raiders and Castellanos would serve as a much-needed back to the stellar sophomore.
With four years as a starter in the power ranks under his belt, Texas Tech could make the case for the best backup in Castellanos.
Although the move appears to be all but finalized, a potential decision from the Big 12 sparked by other chaos throughout the sport could put it in jeopardy.
In the midst of the ongoing fallout of the NCAA's new "five-for-five" eligibility guidelines, many athletes seeking a fifth-year that was not an option just months ago are clamoring for a chance to suit up again.
This includes some players that were currently attempting to make it at the professional ranks.
LSU opened the floodgates by signing two former Ole Miss Rebels, who played with new head coach Lane Kiffin, that were currently with NFL squads.
That led to the Big Ten and later the SEC to draft new rules that prohibit any of its member schools from adding athletes with any experience at the professional level to their rosters.
The Big 12 is heavily rumored to follow suit after a reported meeting of all 16 of its athletic directors, which saw them agree on similar guidelines.
But why does that matter for Castellanos and Texas Tech?
Before earning that injunction, Castellanos tried out for two prospective NFL franchises, as he believed he was done at the college level.
Now, those try-outs never led to a full contract and he has never appeared on a professional roster. However, with the exact rules yet to be released by the conference, it it unclear how restrictive they could be.
In the meantime, Texas Tech continues to stare down its opener against Abilene Christian on Sept. 5, with the Red Raiders hoping to add some insurance under center with Castellanos when that matchup comes around.
