Alabama LB Deontae Lawson responds to trash talk from Florida State QB Tommy Castellanos: 'All disrespect will be addressed accordingly'

Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos provided Alabama with some bulletin board material ahead of their Week 1 clash. The first-year Seminoles leader called out the Crimson Tide for not being the same program now as they were under Nick Saban. 

“I’m excited, man,” Castellanos told On3’s Pete Nakos in an exclusive interview, regarding Florida State’s clash with Alabama. “People, I don’t know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this.

“I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.”

As you can tell, that message probably doesn’t sit well with this season’s Alabama squad. Star linebacker Deontae Lawson was asked about Castellanos’ confidence at SEC Media Days during an appearance on SEC This Morning, and it’s evident the Crimson Tide’s defense is using the quarterback’s words as motivation.

“It definitely ignites us a little bit,” Lawson responded, regarding Castellanos’ fiery quote. “We can’t really think too much on that, because it’s just going to come down to what we do, and how we prepare that week. … All disrespect will be addressed accordingly.”

That’s some quote from Lawson. He didn’t take a shot at Florida State or Castellanos, but he let them know where Alabama’s feelings are at. Both teams aren’t short on confidence, and it should be an emotional showdown when these two meet on Aug. 30.

More on Alabama at Florida State in Week 1

While Castellanos might’ve meant it in a negative way, he’s right about Alabama being a different program without Nick Saban. Often regarded as the greatest coach of his generation, Saban led Alabama to six national championships before retiring after the 2023 season.

The Crimson Tide had a 201-29 record under him. It’s essentially impossible to replicate that success, but they’re doing what they can under Kalen DeBoer.

In DeBoer’s first season, Alabama did take a step in the wrong direction, going 9-4 and missing out on the College Football Playoff entirely. At the same time, there were clear flashes of the capability of the Alabama program, like their win over Georgia. 

Florida State, meanwhile, is coming off a shocking season where they’d go just 2-10 and finish 17th in the ACC. That was one season removed from winning the conference. It was also a season where the Seminoles struggled to find stability at quarterback.

All told, Tommy Castellanos feels confident he can be that stability next season. It’s his third school, and a situation where he finally feels ready to play to his full potential. We’ll see what he can do in Week 1, with Deontae Lawson breathing down his neck.

— On3’s Dan Morrison contributed to this article.