40 Facts About Thomas Castellanos

Early Life and Background

Thomas Castellanos' journey to becoming a standout quarterback is rooted in his early life experiences and family background.

1. Birthdate and Place: Thomas Castellanos was born on August 26, 2002, in Waycross, Georgia.
2. Early Life: He grew up in a large family with ten siblings, and his father passed away when he was just three years old.
3. Family Resilience: Despite the loss of his father, Castellanos' mother worked tirelessly to provide for her children, ensuring they never went without.
4. Brother’s Influence: Castellanos' brother Jones was his mentor and supported him in his love for football. However, Jones passed away, which had a significant impact on Castellanos.
5. Faith and Resilience: Despite facing numerous challenges, including the loss of his father and brother, Castellanos found strength in his faith and continued to pursue his dreams in football.

High School Career

Thomas Castellanos made a name for himself during his high school years, showcasing his talent and determination on the field.

6. High School Career: Castellanos attended Ware County High School, where he was a four-year starting quarterback.
7. High School Achievements: In his junior year, he led his team to a 10-2 record and threw for 2,881 yards with 23 touchdowns, while also rushing for 939 yards and 24 touchdowns.
8. Senior Year: In his senior year, Castellanos threw for 2,613 yards with 25 touchdowns and rushed for 968 yards with 13 touchdowns.
9. High School Records: During his high school career, Castellanos threw for 7,710 career yards and ran for 3,681 yards.
10. High School Awards: He was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 team and selected as 5A All-State as a junior.

College Commitment and Early Career

After high school, Castellanos took his talents to the college level, where he continued to impress.

11. College Commitment: He committed to play college football for the UCF Knights after high school.
12. College Debut: As a true freshman with the UCF Knights in 2022, Castellanos appeared in five games and completed 9-of-16 pass attempts for 75 yards.
13. Transfer to Boston College: After his freshman season, Castellanos entered the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately transferred to Boston College in April 2023.

Boston College Breakout

Thomas Castellanos' transfer to Boston College marked a turning point in his career, where he quickly became a key player for the Eagles.

14. Boston College Debut: In his debut season at Boston College, Castellanos made an immediate impact by replacing Emmett Morehead in the first half of the season opener against Northern Illinois. He led the Eagles in passing yards (138) and rushing yards (67) while accounting for all three of BC's touchdowns (two passing, one rushing).
15. Starting Quarterback: Following his impressive debut, Castellanos was named the full-time starting quarterback for the Boston College Eagles.
16. 2023 Season Performance: In his first start, Castellanos led Boston College to a 31-28 win over Holy Cross, completing 17-of-23 pass attempts for 204 yards and two touchdowns, while also having 69 rushing yards off 16 attempts.
17. Florida State Game: In his second start, he helped the Eagles come close to upsetting third-ranked Florida State, throwing for 305 yards and a touchdown and running for 95 yards and another score in the 31-29 loss.
18. Season Highlights: Castellanos continued as BC's starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2023 season, leading the Eagles to their first 7-win season since 2018 and their first bowl game win since 2016.
19. Offensive MVP: He won Offensive MVP of the Fenway Bowl with 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns against SMU, alongside 102 passing yards.

Impressive Statistics

Thomas Castellanos' stats reflect his dual-threat capabilities and his significant contributions to his teams.

20. Rushing Statistics: Castellanos ended the 2023 season as the second-most prolific rushing quarterback in FBS football, only behind LSU's Jayden Daniels.
21. Passing Statistics: In the 2023 season, he threw for 2,248 yards with a completion percentage of 57.3, tossing 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
22. Rushing Statistics (2023): He rushed for 1,113 yards with an average of 5.2 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns.
23. Career Statistics: As of the 2024 season, Castellanos has completed 243 passes out of 416 attempts for a total of 3,052 yards, with 25 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
24. Career Rushing Statistics: He has rushed for 1,345 yards with an average of 4.9 yards per carry and 15 touchdowns.
25. Career Receiving Statistics: Although he has not been a significant receiver in his college career, he has caught two passes for a total of -11 yards.
26. Defense Statistics: In his limited defensive appearances, Castellanos has recorded one tackle and no sacks.
27. Scoring Contributions: As of the 2024 season, Castellanos has contributed to the scoring efforts of his team through passing (17 touchdowns), rushing (15 touchdowns), and receiving (no touchdowns).

Recognition and Future Prospects

Thomas Castellanos' talent and hard work have not gone unnoticed, earning him recognition from coaches and setting him up for a bright future.

28. College Offers: Castellanos received offers from well-known colleges such as Georgia, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas, FAU, and Coastal Carolina due to his solid high school performances.
29. Transfer Decision: Despite receiving an offer from Florida State in February 2021, Castellanos chose to commit to UCF the following month because he wanted to play quarterback and FSU wasn't going to give him that opportunity.
30. Athleticism Recognition: Florida State's coaching staff recognized Castellanos' athleticism, noting that he was a great player in high school and someone they had to work hard to contain.
31. Mobile Quarterback: Castellanos' ability to create plays with his feet has made him a challenging opponent for defenses, with FSU special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach John Papuchis stating that he will keep plays alive and make them work hard to establish their presence in the line of scrimmage.
32. Leadership Role: Castellanos' leadership on the field has been instrumental in Boston College's success, particularly in their ability to come from behind and win games.
33. Coaching Recognition: His performance has caught the attention of coaches across the country, with Florida State's head coach Mike Norvell acknowledging his play-making ability and athleticism.
34. Future Prospects: With his impressive performance in the 2023 season, Castellanos is expected to continue making waves in college football. His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs makes him a valuable asset to any team.

Personal Life and Academics

Outside of football, Thomas Castellanos is dedicated to his studies and personal growth.

35. Personal Life: Castellanos is an Applied Psychology major at Boston College and is the recipient of the Richard F. Powers, Jr. '40 Quarterback Scholarship Fund.
36. Height and Weight: He stands at 5'9" and weighs around 196 pounds, which is relatively small for a quarterback but does not hinder his ability to make plays on the field.
37. College Football Career: As of the 2024 season, Castellanos has played in 18 games, starting 12 of them. He has completed 208 passes out of 362 attempts for a total of 2,429 yards, with 17 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
38. Career Rushing Average: His career rushing average stands at 5.4 yards per carry, with 15 rushing touchdowns.
39. Inspiration to Others: Thomas Castellanos' story is an inspiration to many young athletes who face similar challenges. His resilience and determination serve as a testament to the power of hard work and faith in achieving one's dreams.
40. College Football Star: Castellanos' journey from a high school standout to a college football star is a testament to his hard work and resilience. His contributions to the Boston College program are evident in leading them to five wins in the last season.

Thomas Castellanos: A Rising Star

Thomas Castellanos' journey from Waycross, Georgia, to becoming the quarterback for the Boston College Eagles is nothing short of inspiring. Overcoming personal hardships, including the loss of his father and brother, he has shown remarkable resilience and determination. His high school career at Ware County High School was stellar, leading to his initial commitment to UCF and later transferring to Boston College.

At Boston College, Castellanos quickly made a name for himself, becoming the starting quarterback and leading the team to significant victories, including a bowl game win. His dual-threat capability, both passing and rushing, sets him apart, making him a formidable opponent on the field. With his impressive stats and leadership qualities, Castellanos is poised to continue making waves in college football. His story is a testament to hard work, faith, and perseverance, inspiring many young athletes.