Thomas Castellanos details how Gus Malzahn flipped him from Auburn

After leaving Boston College via the transfer portal, Thomas Castellanos will reunite with Gus Malzhan. The two were previously together at UCF before Castellanos headed to Boston College for two years, but they’re paired again at Florida State now that Malzahn is the offensive coordinator.

However, another school was squarely in the mix for Castellanos in the portal. He said Auburn was at the forefront of the conversation and appeared to be his destination until Malzahn made a call.

Castellanos said his portal process was a whirlwind as schools expressed interest. He noted Auburn played a key role in his decision to transfer and as he lined up visits, Malzahn got in touch with him and convinced him to commit to Florida State instead.

“I’m not gonna lie, it was kind of shocking, especially after everything that happened and then schools still calling, trying to get me to come to their school and come play for them,” Castellanos said of the transfer process on Gramlich and Mac Lain. “Auburn was the school that got me in the portal. They had me really locked on them, to be honest.

“When I got in, it was kind of crazy. I had visits lined up, but Gus Malzahn gave me a call, man, and there’s no way I could say no. There’s no way I could say no.”

Castellanos put together a breakout season at Boston College in 2023. He threw for 2,248 yards and 15 touchdowns while showcasing his running ability with 1,113 rushing yards and 13 yards on the ground. He struggled in 2024, though, as he threw for 1,366 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding just 194 rushing yards.

Thomas Castellanos then opted to enter the transfer portal for his final year of eligibility. That took him to Florida State, where Gus Malzahn is looking to turn around an offense that struggled mightily in 2024.

The Seminoles went just 2-10 one year after barely missing out on the four-team College Football Playoff. They faced questions at quarterback after DJ Uiagalelei struggled and finished the year last in the ACC with 270.3 total yards and 15.4 points per game.

After the season, Mike Norvell overhauled the coaching staff and made a big-time move by landing Malzahn, a sitting head coach at the time. FSU then went to work to fill out the roster and, in addition to Castellanos, landed former USC wide receiver Duce Robinson – the No. 11 overall player in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.