College Eligibility Fight
Former FSU Quarterback Tommy Castellanos Seeks College Football Return After Judge Expands Eligibility
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Former Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos is reportedly exploring a return to college football, according to Tallahassee Democrat. His potential comeback was sparked by a Colorado judge issuing a preliminary injunction that could grant Class of 2022 recruits an extra year of eligibility.
The ruling stems from the NCAA's new 5-for-5 eligibility model, which gives players who graduated in or after 2023 five years to play five seasons of college sports. Castellanos — who exhausted his eligibility after the 2024 season — had already failed to get a waiver from the NCAA before this injunction emerged.
Castellanos Put Up Big Numbers in Final FSU Season
Castellanos had a strong final year at Florida State. He threw for 2,760 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2024, according to Palm Beach Post. He also added 557 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, making him one of FSU's most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in recent memory.
Despite those numbers, FSU struggled as a team. Castellanos finished his college career without the postseason run many expected. Now, a potential legal lifeline could put him back on the field in 2025 — at FSU or elsewhere.
Colorado Judge's Injunction Opens the Door for 2022 Class
A Colorado federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that could give Class of 2022 recruits an additional year of eligibility, according to Daily Commercial. The injunction is a direct response to the NCAA's 5-for-5 rule, which only covers players who graduated in 2023 or later — leaving the 2022 class out in the cold.
If the injunction holds, it would benefit players like Castellanos who fall into that gap. However, News-Journal Online notes the ruling could cut off hope for Class of 2020 athletes, who may lose any remaining eligibility claims as a result.
Castellanos Already Tried — and Failed — to Get a Waiver
This is not Castellanos's first attempt to extend his playing career. He already sought a waiver from the NCAA after the 2024 season and was denied, according to St. Augustine Record. That rejection appeared to end his college career — until the Colorado judge's ruling changed the picture.
The waiver process has become a flashpoint across college football, with dozens of players seeking extra eligibility following rule changes and COVID-era complications. Castellanos is now among a new wave of players watching the courts — not the NCAA — to decide their futures.
What Happens Next Depends on the Courts
The preliminary injunction is not a final ruling. Courts could still reverse or limit it, which would shut down Castellanos's comeback bid. The NCAA has not yet formally responded to the injunction's implications for individual players seeking reinstatement.
For now, Castellanos and other Class of 2022 players are in a waiting game. If the injunction is upheld, it could trigger a wave of veteran players returning to college rosters — reshaping the landscape of the 2025 college football season just months before it begins.
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