Florida State football had a miserable 2024 season where they finished with a 2-10 record. The Seminoles had an undefeated regular season and a conference championship last year, so the expectations were sky-high for what they could accomplish.
Florida State fans thought that the team would take a step back, given that they lost ten players to the NFL Draft. However, it was not thought that the Seminoles would freefall into the nation's worst offense, where they scored an embarrassing 15.6 points per game.
The experiment with DJ Uiagalelei, the veteran offensive line, and a lack of capable playmakers at wide receiver failed the offense's ability to be successful. Florida State has put its chips all-in at the table again as the Seminoles picked up former Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos.
Castellanos has been known as a dual-threat option where he utilizes his legs. The notable statistic that fans gravitate to is his rushing yards total from 2023 where he recorded 1,113 yards on the ground with 13 touchdowns.
Castellanos's throwing ability is an underrated aspect of his game. In the first year of head coach Bill O'Brien's tenure, the quarterback had 1,366 passing yards and 18 touchdowns with only five interceptions.
The only concern that seems to be mentioned is how will Castellanos continue to elevate his game through the air. The offensive line was one of the worst in the country last year, but they added pieces such as Micah Pettus, Luke Petitbon, Adrian Medley, and Gunnar Hansen via the transfer portal.
During six of the eight games that he played in 2024, Castellanos had a pass completion of longer than 40+ yards. The Seminoles tried to create explosive plays in the passing game last year. Transfer DJ Uiagalelei was thought to have the trait of having a strong arm.
The Seminoles brought big-bodied playmakers to their roster this offseason, such as Duce Robinson, Jordan Scott, Teriq Mallory, Markeston Douglas, Chase Loftin, and Tae'shaun Gelsey.
I fully expect offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to scheme up plays to get the offensive weapons involved through the deep passing game.