Texas Tech has confirmed the addition of quarterback Tommy Castellanos to its roster, reversing a prior NCAA eligibility barrier stemming from his participation in NFL rookie minicamp with the Miami Dolphins.
The NCAA had previously disqualified Castellanos after he announced his departure from Florida State to enter the 2024 NFL draft. However, a Kentucky judge issued a temporary restraining order granting him a fifth season of eligibility, arguing that Castellanos had not officially placed himself into the draft process and was only attending the Dolphins’ minicamp on a tryout basis rather than as a rostered player.
Castellanos, who previously played for Florida State, Boston College, and UCF, attempted to pursue an NFL career as a wide receiver before returning to football as a quarterback. He will compete for the starting role at Texas Tech alongside Will Hammond and Kirk Francis, adding complexity to a quarterback position that has dominated the program’s 2024 offseason narrative. The situation echoes Brendan Sorsby’s controversial eligibility reversal, which initially sparked debate before the quarterback ultimately withdrew from college football to pursue the NFL.
