There might just be a new name to watch at quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
When Houston comes to Lubbock, Texas, on Friday night for a Big 12 showdown, the Red Raider offense is planning to cycle in Florida State transfer Thomas Castellanos at quarterback alongside starter Will Hammond, college football insider Pete Nakos is reporting as of Friday morning. The fifth-year quarterback has completed just one pass for eight yards against Oregon State.
Texas Tech is a 7.5-point favorite in the contest, which will pit Houston star quarterback Connor Weighman against the Hammond-Castellanos duo in a Big 12 throwdown in primetime.
Who is Thomas Castellanos?
Adding to his QB room in late August, Texas Tech offensive coordinator Matt Leftwich grabbed the Florida State transfer in the portal to back up a room once led by Brendan Sorsby, no longer with the Red Raiders after a long, tumbling gambling scandal. With 6,457 career yards to his name, Castellanos is a no-brainer for an offense that needed instant depth at quarterback.
Castellanos began his career at UCF, but after minimal snaps during the 2022 season, he transferred to Boston College, where he’d hover around 60% as a passer for 3,000-plus passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. The Seminoles grabbed the Waycross, Georgia, native in the portal last year and finished 5-7 overall with Castellanos starting all 12 games.
Is the Texas Tech QB Job Up for Discussion?
It’s safe to bet on Will Hammond taking the bulk of the snaps in this Houston contest.
Hammond is already 487 yards, two touchdowns and one pick into his junior campaign, and, since Sorsby’s departure, Hammond has seemingly commanded the starting quarterback job. Castellanos, though, gives the Red Raiders a dynamic edge under center and a reliable veteran in reserve. The Houston game is an opportunity to take advantage of a two-QB system that keeps the Cougars on their toes and stresses the defensive unit on third or fourth down.
Look for Texas Tech to push its offensive mystique on Friday night and whether Castellanos plays a role in the fun.
