Thomas Castellanos, Florida State’s flashy dual-threat quarterback, has certainly been a hot topic heading into the 2025 season. All eyes are on the guy who once tore up defenses at Boston College with his arm and legs. After transferring to FSU, expectations were sky-high. And especially after Castellanos’ bold “they don’t have Nick Saban to save them” claim. But, well, reality isn’t exactly matching the hype just yet. Reports from the fall camp have been… let’s say less than spectacular.

According to insiders, Castellanos has been “incredibly inconsistent.” He is struggling more than expected to adjust to his new teammates and the offensive system under OC Gus Malzahn. And ESPN’s Greg McElroy has just done the work of adding fuel to the fire. If you’re an FSU fan sitting on the edge of your seat right now, McElroy’s words might feel like both a comforting pat on the back and a reality check all rolled into one. “It sounds like right now he’s a little bit not playing as well as he’s capable of playing,” Greg blatantly stated on the ESPN College Football show.

“Sounds like there’s a bunch of sacks. It sounds like there are a few issues with just kind of processing getting things done through things quickly enough. sounds like it’s just not a well-oiled machine on the offensive side of the football.” The fact that a quarterback who’s good at escaping pressure is getting sacked often hints at issues beyond just his play. “If you’re a Florida State fan and you’re concerned about sacks that the very mobile Castellanos is taking,” Greg added. “That’s not a great indicator of what things might look like when it’s live game action.” One big reason for these sacks is that the offensive line and overall offensive cohesion have not yet been polished properly. A sack in football officially happens when the defense tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before he throws a forward pass.

That means the defender must cause the QB to go down by contact, and not just graze him. So if, during practice, a defender just runs past Castellanos and barely clips his shoulder pad. And, coaches or scouts might whistle it as a sack to simulate pressure. But, in a real game, they wouldn’t necessarily record it as a sack unless they stop Castellanos or force him down behind the line of scrimmage. Also, the situation is different if the QB is in the pocket. And the defense tackles him with no clear running intent. But if the play’s designed for the QB to run and defenders stop him behind the line, they achieve a tackle for loss, not a sack. Soon after this, McElroy quickly flips the script. “This guy is outrageously mobile. So, if taking sacks is something that you’re concerned about, I’m not,” McElroy continues.

“I also look at the weapons that he is now going to be relying upon.” Let’s rewind a bit. Remember the almost FSU upset against Castellanos’ Boston College? Castellanos put on a show, racking up nearly 305 yards of total offense and throwing one touchdown. Though Boston College ultimately fell short, Castellanos had proven himself as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. He could torch defenses both through the air and on the ground. The story takes on even more weight considering Castellanos had transferred from UCF and was still adapting to Boston. So, fans have seen plenty of evidence that, when the chips are down, Castellanos can improvise and make something out of nothing. Speaking of weapons, the arrival of Duce Robinson from USC adds another intriguing dimension to FSU’s arsenal.

Robinson is a long, tall, big-bodied wide receiver who draws comparisons to Johnny Wilson. He is someone Mike Norvell had great success with just a few seasons ago. Another standout target is Squirrel White, a quick and elusive wide receiver known for making tough catches and gaining yards after the catch. Then there’s Ja’Khi Douglas, another receiver recognized for consistent production and a higher offensive grade according to PFF. Tae’Shaun Gelsey adds size and strength to the receiving group as another big-bodied wideout on the roster, making him useful in contested catches and red-zone opportunities. However, the real test comes when the lights go on game day. So, even if Castellanos rises to the occasion, it won’t be a cakewalk.

FSU’s ACC road tests begin

Greg McElroy mixes cautious optimism with a dash of ‘brace yourself’ in his take on Florida State’s 2025 football schedule. “There’s a bunch of schedules that are kind of comparable,” he said. “But I went with Florida State as the toughest schedule.” It all kicks off on August 30th with a bang as FSU hosts No. 8 Alabama. This opener is a heavyweight showdown, where Castellanos needs to back up his big boy claims. After that firecracker, Florida State gets a bit of breathing room with home games against East Texas A&M and Kent State

But the ACC slate is packed with tests. Late September, the Seminoles hit the road to face Virginia. It’s a game critical for conference standing and bragging rights. Then, October turns into a real trial by fire with a home matchup against No. 10 Miami. It’s another heated rivalry that never disappoints. Right after, Pittsburgh visits, followed by a cross-country nighttime game at Stanford. November promises intensity with battles against Wake Forest at home and a tough trip to No. 4 Clemson.

FSU finishes strong with matchups against Virginia Tech, a late road game at NC State under the ESPN lights. And then, the annual showdown at No. 15 Florida in Gainesville. Greg adds, “if you really look at their schedule, it is entirely possible that they are 7-1, 6-2 after the first eight weeks of the season.” None of this is a cakewalk, but with a rebuild showing signs of life, key offensive weapons, and a schedule balanced between challenging rivals and beatable foes, a 7-1 or 6-2 record through eight weeks feels in play.