Expectations for the Florida State Seminoles in 2025, at least among college football fans, aren’t particularly high. Last year, FSU was predicted to be the premier program in the ACC, headlining many preseason polls, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Head coach Mike Norvell and the Seminoles finished with a 2-10 record. Their only victories came in a close, five-point win against Cal and a blowout against a one-win Charleston Southern team.
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Entering his sixth season with the program, Norvell wants to return the team to where they were after the 2022 and 2023 seasons: 10 or more wins and a top-ten finish in the Coaches Poll.
One problem the Seminoles could not solve a year ago was their quarterback issue. DJ Uiagalelei began the season as the starter and completed just 53.8% of his attempts and passed for 1,065 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.
Quarterbacks Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek were given opportunities to lead the offense, but neither succeeded.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Florida State hit the transfer portal to find a new quarterback.
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After a lower-body injury sidelined him last season, Boston College Eagles quarterback Tommy Castellanos opted to enter the portal when head coach Bill O’Brien gave the start to another signal-caller on the team. Castellanos chose to commit to the Seminoles in December and has since been penciled in as the team’s presumptive starter this year.
Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell.Melina Myers-Imagn Images
While fans across the country might not expect much, Norvell knows much more is at stake, like his job, should Florida State falter again.
When asked what he wants out of Castellanos this year, the 43-year-old coach didn’t mince words.
“Our expectations are for him to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country.”
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Castellanos performed well against Florida State last season while with the Eagles, passing for 106 yards and two touchdowns and adding 73 yards and one score on the ground.
The Seminoles’ schedule does them no favors as they must play Alabama, Miami, Clemson and Florida. Wins in their other eight contests would result in a solid season, but it remains to be seen if Florida State will retain Norvell if he cannot return the program to its former glory.
The ‘Noles host the Crimson Tide at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, August 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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