FSU football newcomers to make an instant impact: Who can lead the Seminoles turnaround
Following a disastrous 2-10 season, Florida State football overhauled its roster with new faces from the transfer portal and high school recruitment.
The Seminoles currently have 36 new players coming into the program via the portal or preps recruitment, with the portal class ranking fifth in the nation and the high school recruiting class ranked 18th, according to 247Sports.
While not every player is going to come in and make an instant impact, there are a handful of them who could be household names for those in Tallahassee and beyond next season.
As players begin their life as Seminoles with the new college semester starting, which players can make an instant impact on the team?
Here are four players who could fit the bill.
Thomas Castellanos – Quarterback
The Seminoles moved quickly to bring in former Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos, making him the first signee of the 2025 portal class.
It was a tumultuous year at the quarterback position for FSU, cycling through three different signal callers. Following the season, DJ Uiagalelei declared for the NFL draft and Luke Kromenhoek elected to transfer to Mississippi State, leaving Brock Glenn as the only scholarship quarterback still a Seminole from the 2024 roster.
Castellanos comes in with the expectation of bringing excitement back to the position. He’s a dual-threat quarterback, but with Boston College bringing in Bill O’Brien as head coach, Castellanos was transitioned into more of a pocket passer in 2024.
While his touchdown to interception ratio improved, throwing 18 touchdowns to five interceptions, Castellanos eventually dropped down the depth chart, leaving the Eagles program before coming to FSU.
He finished with 1,366 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions, adding just 194 rushing yards and one touchdown this season. In 2023 he threw for 2,248 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while adding 1,113 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, his best year of his career in Chesnut Hill.
He brings a familiarity with offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn’s offense, spending one season under him at UCF before transferring to Boston College, and he fits the mold of what Malzahn likes in his signal callers. With a revamped offensive line and wide receiver unit, Castellanos could make a splash this season.
