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Florida State's Thomas Castellanos releases 'Nick can't save them' T-shirts following Alabama win

Nakos updated headshotby: Pete Nakos08/31/25PeteNakos_
Thomas Castellanos
USA Today Sports

Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos stood on his words on Saturday night. The Boston College transfer stunned Alabama in Week 1, standing on his quotes back in June that called out the Crimson Tide ahead of the season opener.

In an exclusive interview with On3 back in June, Castellanos said that he did not believe Alabama could not him. And on Saturday night, that rang true as Florida State knocked off No. 8 Alabama 31-17. He made a play every time FSU needed an answer to Alabama, finishing Saturday 9 of 14 passing for 152 yards while rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown.

“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,” Castellanos told On3 at the time. “I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.

“And then the ACC, I feel like I tore the ACC up by my damn self for the past two years. Now I’m with a squad. I hope people don’t think 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.”

He’s now taking advantage of the moment by releasing T-shirts priced at $45. Thanks to NIL, he will be able to pocket the profits. The merchandise includes a T-shirt with the quote “Nick can’t save them” and another with Castellanos standing on a brick, showing that he stands on what he said.

As expected, Castellanos’ comments from June garnered reaction from the Crimson Tide. Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson said at SEC media days that, “All disrespect will be handled accordingly.”

Thomas Castellanos held back postgame, but acknowledged that FSU “heard everything everybody said” and it “added that fuel to the fire.” Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn fanned the flames, too, posting on X that Saturday night “felt like old times tonight,” a reference to his time at Auburn.

Castellanos has made 21 career starts in his college career, touting a 12-10 overall record. The BC transfer was one of 23 pickups in the portal for Florida State this offseason, coming off last year’s 2-10 season.

The first Boston College player to record 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a season, Castellanos was drawn to Florida State because of the levels of desperation both the player and program shared, he previously told On3. Saturday night he stood on those comments with the stunning win over Alabama.

“All they need is one season and one year,” he previously told On3. “I feel like I have the skill set to be one of the best. Now I just have to turn this thing around for these guys, for this community, this fan base and the staff. I’m not just playing for Florida State. I’m playing for coaches who are fathers and who have homes and families here. I’m trying to save jobs and win.”