Kentucky Appeals Court Blocks Fifth-Year Eligibility for 38 Athletes, Including Texas Tech’s Thomas Castellanos

Is Thomas Castellanos’ tenure at Texas Tech already at an end? On Friday, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled against athletes from the class of 2022 who had been granted a fifth year of eligibility through a temporary injunction. As reported by On3, a status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 9, though the lawsuit remains pending.

Castellanos was part of a cohort of players who had successfully secured a fifth season of eligibility for the 2026-27 school year within Kentucky state courts. While litigation in some other states has been upheld or remains unresolved, the specific plaintiffs who filed suit in Kentucky are now ineligible. This development arrives just ahead of No. 12 Texas Tech’s matchup against Colorado on Saturday.

The ruling underscores the disarray surrounding the NCAA’s rollout of its five-for-five rule. Earlier in the summer, the NCAA announced that all athletes would receive five school years to compete in five seasons beginning with the 2026-27 athletic year. However, players who had already completed their fourth season within four school years during 2025-26 were not granted a fifth year.

The August suit involved 38 players, including former North Carolina basketball player Seth Trimble, former Missouri basketball player Mark Mitchell, and Castellanos. Trimble and Mitchell are likewise ineligible, though their seasons have not yet begun. Mitchell was initially committed to Kentucky before returning to Missouri, while Trimble has transferred to Louisville.

Kentucky linebacker Alex Afari is also among those suddenly stripped of eligibility. Afari has recorded 11 tackles through four games this season.

Castellanos joined the Red Raiders late and has appeared in four games as a backup to Will Hammond. He has attempted four passes for 35 yards and two touchdowns in specialized play packages, including an interception on the opening play of Texas Tech’s Week 3 win over Houston. He has also rushed 10 times for 44 yards and two scores.

Before joining Texas Tech, Castellanos spent his freshman season at UCF, playing five games before transferring to Boston College. He served as the Eagles’ starting quarterback in 2023 and the beginning of the 2024 season before being moved to the bench. He transferred to Florida State in 2025, where he became the Seminoles’ starter, throwing for over 2,700 yards, rushing for over 550 yards, and recording 24 total touchdowns.

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