AJ McCarron evaluates FSU QB Thomas Castellanos' potential under new OC Gus Malzahn

The Florida State Seminoles are coming off a disastrous 2024 season. In response, FSU head coach Mike Norvell revamped the offense, bringing in transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos and new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.

Former Alabama quarterback and current analyst AJ McCarron broke down Castellanos on The Dynasty. There, he dove into the relationship between Malzahn and Castellanos, and how it could work out this season, potentially building confidence going into their season opener against Alabama.

“100 percent,” AJ McCarren said. “I think he threw for 2,200 yards last year. He rushed for over 1,000. The biggest thing, and Gus will find a way.”

Thomas Castellanos began his career as a three-star recruit who went to UCF. There, he played for Gus Malzahn when he was a head coach. In five games as a freshman, he completed 56.3 percent of his passes for 75 yards and he rushed for 120 yards with a touchdown. They’re reunited now at Florida State with Malzahn taking over as his offensive coordinator.

In two seasons after UCF, Castellanos played for two different coaching staffs at Boston College. The first was led by Jeff Hafley. However, he would be replaced by Bill O’Brien for the 2024 season, which led to what Castellanos has since described as some disconnect between the two.

“If [Bill O’Brien] yanked him because of his accuracy — everything I’ve ever seen was because of that. Castellanos came out and said he didn’t see eye to eye with OB and that’s why he’s leaving, blah, blah, blah. You got yanked because of your play. It doesn’t matter about eye to eye. OB is the type of coach, I’ve played for him for multiple years, he’s the type of coach that’s going to play the best guy regardless. He could care less if he sees eye to eye with the kid,” McCarren said.

“But, listen, does he have attributes that will help him be successful? Of course. He’s a starting DI quarterback. He can run. He throws it well enough. But he better be able to throw the ball because I just don’t see a true rushing quarterback beating Alabama. So, we’ll see, but he definitely has attributes that make him a good player.”

Thomas Castellanos has found himself making waves recently for comments he made to On3’s Pete Nakos about Alabama. In those comments, he called out the Crimson Tide for not having Nick Saban to save the program. In turn, there’s also been plenty of pushback for Castellanos.

“I’m just not for the talk. I just don’t understand — you’re coming off a team that finished last in the ACC, right? Last, right? Last. What the hell are we doing? Why are you doing this, not only to yourself, your teammates, your coaching staff? I’m sure Mike Norvell doesn’t like it,” McCarren said. “He’s not the type of coach that talks like that. He’s more of a Saban type that respects each team he’s playing. Kind of talks well about them. Why are you doing that? I understand to maybe fuel your teammates some, but at the same time, it’s stupidity. So, listen, you better be able to back it up after finishing last in the ACC last year in one of the weakest conferences there is.”

Thomas Castellanos, Florida State, and Alabama will have the chance to settle all of it on the field. The Seminoles are set to host the Crimson Tide to open the season on August 30th.