The Texas Tech Raiders‘ quarterback room has undergone significant changes following last campaign, forcing the Red Raiders to adjust plans just before the start of the 2026 college football season.
The biggest shift came when Brendan Sorsby, who had originally been expected to start after transferring from Cincinnati, left the program following his gambling-related eligibility saga and turned his attention toward the 2027 NFL Draft.
That departure left Texas Tech searching for experienced depth behind junior quarterback Will Hammond, who is returning from the torn ACL that cut short his 2025 campaign, having only landed former Tulsa QB and senior passer Kirk Francis in the transfer portal.
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With the new season around the corner, the Red Raiders have now found a much better option to back up Hammond.
Former Florida State Seminoles quarterback Thomas Castellanos announced on Wednesday that he is committing to Texas Tech after receiving an injunction that allows him to play a fifth season of college football.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Castellanos is expected to begin the season as Hammond’s backup rather than as the starter.
“Will Hammond is set to be Texas Tech’s starting quarterback, but is coming off a torn ACL, and Castellanos would give the Red Raiders depth at the position,” Nakos wrote.
Castellanos arrives with vast experience from stops at UCF, Boston College (where he spent two seasons) and Florida State. Last season with the Seminoles, Castellanos completed 58.3% of his passes for 2,760 yards and 15 touchdowns against nine interceptions, while adding 557 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground.
Across 38 career college games, Castellanos has thrown for 6,449 yards with 48 touchdown passes and 28 interceptions while rushing for 1,984 yards and 24 touchdowns.
According to The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel, Castellanos was among 13 football and basketball 2022 entrants who pursued legal action after the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility model did not apply retroactively to their class.
Castellanos’ commitment gives Texas Tech an experienced dual-threat option behind Hammond, with the Raiders set to kick off their season on Sept. 5 against Abilene Christian.
