Why fifth-year QB Thomas Castellanos is allowed to join Texas Tech last minute after NFL workouts

The Texas Tech quarterback room remains one of the themes of the 2026 college football offseason.

Months after Brendan Sorsby parted ways with the Red Raiders following admissions of his gambling activity, the team has now found a new high-profile passer to replace him: Thomas Castellanos.

The former Florida State and Boston College quarterback initially saw his collegiate career come to an end, but a temporary restraining order against the NCAA last week has given him an opportunity to play a fifth season. Castellanos did spend time in NFL rookie minicamps, but the new anti-NFL-return rules being implemented around college football appear not to apply to him.

Here's why Castellanos is able to return to college football and play for Texas Tech in 2026.

MORE: Picks, predictions for Week 0 of college football season

Why Thomas Castellanos was allowed join Texas Tech

Castellanos played his fourth season of college football at Florida State in 2025, and that appeared to be the end of his time in NCAA. In December 2025, he was denied an extra year of eligibility, and Castellanos later declared for the NFL Draft.

However, the quarterback recently was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA in Kentucky, per On3, which granted him a fifth year of eligibility and entry to the transfer portal. Castellanos was not part of the initial group of 2022 recruits who were granted a path to a fifth season by a Louisiana judge, which included former Ole Miss players Dae'Quan Wright. Rather, he was granted his temporary restraining order in Kentucky.

With the Red Raiders needing some quarterback insurance alongside Will Hammond due to Sorsby's exit, they pursued Castellanos after he entered the portal.

NEWS: Thomas Castellanos has committed to Texas Tech, he tells ESPN. He's a former quarterback at Florida State, BC and UCF. He has 6,449 career passing yards and 48 passing touchdowns. He's also rushed for 24 touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/T4vVvkuTXY

MORE: Meet the Browns player making NFL history with return to college to play for LSU

Will Thomas Castellanos start for Texas Tech?

Castellanos is not expected to start for Texas Tech — On3's Pete Nakos reported that he arrives at the school "as Will Hammond's backup."

However, it's not hard to imagine Castellanos having a path to starting snaps. Hammond has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, but per NBC5, coach Joey McGuire has said Hammond will be ready for Week 1.

Hammond is expected to come into the Red Raiders' season as QB1, but if he struggles or missed time with injury, Castellanos will bring plenty of experience to the field.

MORE: SEC reveals harsh penalties for signing former pro players

Could Thomas Castellanos play WR at Texas Tech?

There have been rumblings throughout Castellanos' career that the 5-10, 198-pound quarterback could play some wide receiver. 

According to On3, Castellanos' agent previously said the former Boston College star is open to playing receiver. Additionally, when Castellanos accepted an invite to Titans rookie minicamp this past summer, he was listed as a wide receiver, per Jordan Schultz.

At Texas Tech, however, the expectation is that Castellanos will be the backup quarterback until the team says otherwise. Due to Sorsby's exit, the Red Raiders have needed some insurance at the position. It's unlikely they'll move Castellanos to wide receiver if they may need him throwing passes at some point.

Why is Thomas Castellanos eligible to play in 2026?

Castellanos was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA in Kentucky a few weeks ago, allowing him to enter the transfer portal and play a fifth season. With the recent controversies surrounding NFL players returning to college, those new rules being implemented by conferences would not impact Castellanos either.

The Big Ten has passed rules banning players who have spent time in professional leagues from returning to the conference afterward, a move that is expected to be followed by the SEC, ACC and Texas Tech's Big 12.

Castellanos did reportedly receive invites to Titans and Dolphins rookie minicamps this summer, but he never signed a contract. The rules being implemented by conferences state that players who signed a professional contract or appeared on a professional roster are ineligible to return. Castellanos did neither of those things.

So, regardless of the fallout from the recent NFL-college football rules controversy, Castellanos looks set to play for Texas Tech in 2026.

Thomas Castellanos career stats 

Castellanos will be one of the more experienced quarterbacks in college football this season. He's made 32 starts in his career already, with stops at UCF, Boston College and Florida State. 

His best stint came in 2023 and 2024 for Boston College, rushing for 1,114 yards with 13 touchdowns in 2023 before throwing for 1,366 yards and 18 touchdowns with five interceptions in 2024.

After a disappointing season at Florida State last year, Castellanos is back for more in 2026.

Here's a look at his career numbers:

Texas Tech QB depth chart

Hammond is expected to remain the Red Raiders' starter at quarterback, especially with the new season just days away. Castellanos, however, will give the team a far more experienced backup than it otherwise would have had.

Prior to landing Castellanos, sophomore Lloyd Jones III was in line to back up Hammond after appearing in just one game during his debut 2025 season, though Jones did throw two touchdown passes. Kirk Francis, a transfer from Tulsa, was also set to factor into the QB room.

Thomas Castellanos age

Castellanos' Texas Tech announcement came on his 23rd birthday, as he was born on Aug. 26, 2003.