Jaylen King describes his mindset after transferring to FSU, moving to backup QB role

After a frustrating 2024 season, Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell went to revamp the offense. Much of the focus has been around transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos. However, he’s not alone, as Norvell brought in Jaylen King, another quarterback with starting experience.

Today, King is expected to back up Castellanos in 2025 while developing for the future. That’s not easy for him to do as a former starter. However, as he recently shared, it’s part of planning out the best way for his future.

“Definitely mentally trying to prepare,” Jaylen King said. “But I know as a competitor it’s hard to sit on the sideline. I started since I was a freshman. So, coming in and having to sit, it’s definitely hard.”

Castellanos was a starter in the ACC before going to Florida State. For his career, he has a 58.6 completion percentage and 3,689 passing yards in 26 games to go along with 33 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions for his career. A dual-threat, he actually played for new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn when the two were previously at UCF. So, the job is in his hands. However, that doesn’t mean King doesn’t have plenty to offer in his own right.

Jaylen King was an overlooked prospect coming out of high school at Charlton County in Georgia. He’d originally go to Gardner-Webb and then East Tennessee State, both of which are FCS programs, and hit the ground running as a starter. Over the course of two seasons, he’d throw for 2,759 yards and 20 touchdowns, though he did have a turnover problem, throwing 19 interceptions. On the ground, he was able to rush for 825 yards and another 10 touchdowns.

“I’m just trying to prepare mentally,” King said. “And just take the coaching and watch the guys like Tommy and just sit behind them and go over behind him like he’s going to take the snap like he’s doing.”

As a team, Florida State struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball last season, particularly at quarterback. The Seminoles finished 2024 ranked 116th nationally in passing offense, averaging just 180.3 passing yards per game. Their 11 team passing touchdowns were tied for 123rd nationally. That was also part of why the Seminoles only finished 131st in scoring offense, averaging 15.4 points per game.

Ultimately, the hope is that it’s Thomas Castellanos who can turn the program around for the 2025 season. After that, a player who has learned a developed like Jaylen King can step in and make for a smoother transition from season to season than what Florida State underwent in 2024.