With only a few exceptions over the last 15 games, one constant can be said about Florida State’s offense: The Seminoles aren’t playing well around the quarterback. From Tate Rodemaker to Brock Glenn to DJ Uiagalelei to Luke Kromenhoek, well, the quarterback hasn’t played all that well and the offense hasn’t been productive. Or very fun to watch.
FSU has scored just 15.2 points per game since the Florida game in November 2023, the first game of the post-Jordan Travis Era. And this number is inflated when factoring in a 41-point outburst against FCS opponent Charleston Southern in 2024.
The Osceola has written about how FSU can return to efficiency on offense in 2025. It all starts up front on the offensive line. But the Seminoles need improved play at receiver and tight end (better blocking and fewer drops). And a more physical running game. But plenty of eyes will be on the new quarterback, Tommy Castellanos, and how well he fits in new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn’s scheme.
Our position preview series continues with a look at Castellanos and FSU’s quarterbacks.
Pre-camp depth chart
Tommy Castellanos (5-foot-11, 201 pounds)
Brock Glenn (6-foot-2, 217 pounds)
Kevin Sperry (6-foot-1, 212 pounds)
Jaylen King (6-foot-4, 215 pounds)
2024 stats
Castellanos (at Boston College) — 61.5 completion percentage, 1,366 yards, 18 TDs, 5 INTs
Glenn — 44.7 completion percentage, 597 yards, 4 TDs, 5 INTs
Sperry (at Denton Guyer High) — Threw for 2,210 yards and 23 touchdowns with 981 rushing yards and six touchdowns
King (at ETSU) — 52.5 completion percentage, 1,536 yards, 9 TDs, 11 INTs
Offseason transactions
Castellanos transferred in from Boston College
Sperry signed in December
King transferred in from East Tennessee State after spring practice
Kromenhoek transferred to Mississippi State in the winter
Trever Jackson transferred to Arkansas in the spring.
On the rise
The play around the quarterback should be better. But the quarterbacks need to play well, too. In that regard, let’s contemplate what are realistic goals for each of the quarterbacks if they elevate their play.
Castellanos completed 61.5 percent of his passes in Bill O’Brien’s offense in 2024. Underscore that Castellanos was asked to be a pocket passer, limiting his strength as a runner, and he increased his completion percentage by four points from 2023 while dropping his interception total from 14 to 5. There are plenty of criticisms of what Castellanos can and can’t do, but how about this: What could he accomplish with a coach who has an offense tailored to his skillset?
And speaking of skillsets, Malzahn’s offense would appear to mesh with Glenn. While he’s been put in some tough situations — including starts against Louisville, Georgia, Clemson and Notre Dame — Glenn is just a 42.4-percent passer. Glenn could take a step forward in a backup role, playing some against FCS East Texas A&M (Sept. 6) and Kent State (Sept. 20), as well as in a few other games.
Sperry was listed at 200 pounds when he signed and is up to 212 pounds on FSU’s latest roster update from the summer. If the coaches feel good about his grasp of the playbook after an impressive spring, could he push for the No. 2 job and some drives in those September games? How he practices and leads the offense in camp will go a long way in answering that.
King is expected to redshirt in what should be a developmental season. How will he evaluate his progress? His developmental track could be tougher to gauge. But he’s never been around this much talent on offense or had this type of support on and off the field.
Biggest questions
Castellanos is a known as a runner. What will he show us as a passer? What will he show us as a leader? How durable will he be? Will he be able to move the offense and put the Seminoles in a position to put more points on the board?
If Castellanos is a more accurate passer under Malzahn, leads a more efficient ground attack and is able to play through the bumps and bruises, he could be a leader the Seminoles need week to week.
Glenn is more prepared. Sperry appears to be a challenger. King has on-field experience against FCS and G5 competition. Castellanos was brought in to be a sparkplug of FSU’s offense, but we also feel better about FSU’s quarterback room in the event that Castellanos is injured.
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