Thomas Castellanos, a graduate transfer quarterback, is headed to Texas Tech, according to a report by On3. His move to Lubbock comes after a ruling permitted him to play a fifth season of eligibility, a decision that will help fill the quarterback position after Brendan Sorsby left the program to seek treatment for a gambling addiction.
Will Hammond, a junior, is anticipated to be the starting quarterback for the Red Raiders. Hammond has started two games previously and has dealt with an ACL injury. Castellanos is expected to begin the season as Hammond's backup.
Castellanos brings experience from his time at UCF, Boston College, and Florida State. He has appeared in 38 games, accumulating 6,449 passing yards and 48 touchdowns against 28 interceptions. Additionally, he has rushed for 1,984 yards and scored 24 touchdowns.
His ability to play a fifth season is a result of recent court rulings that have challenged NCAA eligibility rules. These rulings have allowed athletes five seasons of eligibility within a five-year period, provided they begin no later than age 19. This rule has not been applied retroactively to athletes who entered college in 2022 and had already completed four seasons under previous regulations, leading to legal challenges in various state courts.