FSU quarterback Thomas Castellanos added some spice to the FSU vs. Alabama season opener matchup when he made a statement about the game in an interview a few weeks ago.
Castellanos spoke about the confidence he had in his team and the talent that surrounds him, unlike what he had in his former team, Boston College. The biggest thing that caught everyone's attention was that Alabama wasn't the same Alabama without Nick Saban as the head coach.
None of what Thomas Castellanos said was far-fetched or untrue. He does have more talent around him now than he did the two previous seasons at Boston College. He does have several ACC games with big numbers passing or rushing, or both.
Alabama lost four games for the first time in over a decade last season in Kalen DeBoer's first season.
Thomas Castellanos didn't back down from anything he said when asked about it at the ACC Kickoff event on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina:
FSU QB Thomas Castellanos on his previous comments about the week one game against Alabama, "We stand on what I said, but there is no disrespect between [Alabama]..."
— Dean Ralsky (@DeanRalsky) July 23, 2025
FSU kicks off day two of ACC Media Days. pic.twitter.com/5dlqvOys3r
Castellanos provided some clarity(unknowingly) when he was working out recently with someone who plays for Alabama. Castellanos said he was trying to instill confidence in a group of players who went 2-10 last season.
The quarterback is the leader of most teams, and they usually adopt whatever attitude the quarterback has. I'd say that was true last season with DJ Uiagalelei, and it was a disaster, because his play or demeanor didn't demand respect.
Castellanos will have to play well for his teammates to go all out for him. However, he plays with a fiery passion that's contagious. It's similar to the rise of Jordan Travis. Once he started playing well, it became his team, and the guys fell in line and followed him. The same could happen for Castellanos in 2025.