FSU QB’s bold Alabama comment adds intrigue to Week 1 matchup

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Thomas Castellanos is already trashing the Alabama Crimson Tide before their Week 1 matchup on Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

“They don’t have [former Crimson Tide head coach] Nick Saban to save them,” Castellanos told On3’s Pete Nakos in a story published Monday. “I just don’t see them stopping me.” 

Alabama backtracked in its first season under new HC Kalen DeBoer, who replaced seven-time national champion Saban after he retired in January 2024. The Crimson Tide went 9-4, losing to the Michigan Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl, 19-13, on New Year’s Eve. They also lost to the Vanderbilt Commodores for the first time in 40 years in a 40-35 road loss in Week 6. 

Castellanos, however, isn’t what you would call a surefire Heisman contender. In eight games with the Boston College Eagles during the 2024 season, he completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 1,366 yards and 18 touchdown passes.

During a 37-31 Week 11 home win over the Syracuse Orange, Eagles HC Bill O’Brien benched Castellanos in favor of Grayson James. The QB subsequently entered the transfer portal. 

He remains confident he can help Florida State rebound from a disastrous 2-10 season in 2024.

“I feel like I tore up the ACC by my damn self for the last two years, and now I’m with a squad,” Castellanos said. “I hope people don’t think that Florida State is going to be the same team it was last year because we have weapons. People can’t just sit back in zone coverage and watch me.”

Along with Castellanos, wide receiver Duce Robinson transferred to Florida State this offseason. He had 39 receptions for 747 yards and seven TD catches in two seasons with the USC Trojans. 

That may not help Florida State improve dramatically in 2025. As of Monday, ESPN Football Power Index projects the Seminoles to win six games next season, and ESPN Bet lists them as a 13-point underdog in their home game against Alabama. 

Castellanos’ comments only intensify the pressure on Florida State heading into this upcoming season.