Spring football has returned to Tallahassee, bringing with it a familiar mix of optimism and uncertainty. For the Florida State Seminoles, the lingering disappointment of their tumultuous 2024 season remains, particularly at the quarterback position. Head coach Mike Norvell is once again tasked with finding stability under center, as last year’s struggles left the team searching for answers.
DJ Uiagalelei Breaks His Silence on His FSU Stint
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One of the biggest storylines from last season was the brief and underwhelming tenure of DJ Uiagalelei, a former Oregon State transfer. After months of silence, he finally addressed his departure from FSU while preparing for the NFL Draft, where he remains a late hopeful.
Norvell took a significant risk by bringing Uiagalelei in through the transfer portal, reportedly investing a large portion of FSU’s rumored $12 million NIL budget in him. Uiagalelei arrived with high expectations and endorsement deals from brands like The Battle’s End, Beats by Dre, Circle K, and Celsius. However, his time in Tallahassee was short-lived. After just five games, he suffered a pinky injury that sidelined him, but even before that, questions arose about his effectiveness in leading the offense.
When rumors suggested that NIL money played a role in his decision to transfer, Uiagalelei was quick to shut them down. “I didn’t transfer for money. I transferred for respect,” he stated in an interview with Footballville Nation. Unfortunately, his on-field performance failed to earn him that respect, leaving his FSU stint as one defined by unfulfilled potential.
A Season of Quarterback Instability
With Uiagalelei out, Florida State’s quarterback situation quickly unraveled. Freshman Brock Glenn was thrust into action, but his performances were inconsistent, finishing the season with 597 passing yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. Hoping to find more stability, Norvell turned to Luke Kromenhoek, but he struggled as well, posting 502 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions before transferring to Mississippi State.
This constant quarterback rotation was a stark contrast to the stability FSU had enjoyed under Jordan Travis in previous years. For a program aiming to remain in the College Football Playoff conversation, the lack of a reliable signal-caller was not just frustrating—it was unacceptable.
Can Thomas Castellanos End FSU’s QB Carousel?
Now, as FSU looks ahead, Norvell has turned to Boston College transfer Thomas Castellanos in hopes of finally solving the quarterback puzzle. Castellanos has already made an impression in spring camp, showing flashes of potential. Norvell, careful not to overhype any player too early, gave a cautiously optimistic assessment of his new quarterback.
“I thought he had a good day. I mean, he hit a couple of vertical shots that were extremely well-placed. His athleticism, his presence within the pocket, and I thought he did a good job of delivering the football… I thought he was pretty clean today,” Norvell said. While not a definitive endorsement, the statement reflected some much-needed optimism after last season’s struggles.
For Castellanos, the task ahead is clear: succeed where his predecessors failed. Uiagalelei certainly had the physical tools, but his final season stats—1,065 passing yards, four touchdowns, and six interceptions—failed to showcase his potential. Now, he is hoping his size and arm talent will be enough to convince an NFL team to take a chance on him.
A New Contender Emerges: Kevin Sperry
Although Castellanos is expected to be the frontrunner for QB1, true freshman Kevin Sperry made a strong first impression on day one of spring camp. A late flip from Oklahoma to Florida State, Sperry had a dominant high school career, throwing for over 2,500 yards, rushing for more than 1,000, and accounting for 35 total touchdowns in his senior season.
Norvell was pleased with the performance of all his quarterbacks but made sure to highlight Sperry’s standout debut. “I thought the quarterbacks did a nice job on our first day,” he noted before adding, “Kevin Sperry went out in his first 7-on-7 set, and I think he went four for four. It was impressive to see him hit the ground and going.”
With a strong start like this, Sperry has put himself in the conversation for the starting job, giving Norvell another intriguing option at quarterback. After a year of turmoil, Florida State now finds itself with multiple potential solutions at the most important position on the field. Whether Castellanos, Glenn, or Sperry emerges as the leader, one thing is clear—the Seminoles are desperate for stability under center.