Mike Norvell’s task in Tallahassee isn’t just about rebuilding—it’s about resetting a culture that was once the gold standard. After double-digit wins in 2022 and 2023, Florida State was riding high. But 2024 delivered a gut punch no one saw coming. A 2-10 collapse gutted the Seminoles’ momentum and left Norvell facing the same question that’s haunted the program for years: who’s the QB1? DJ Uiagalelei was supposed to be that answer. Instead, his tenure fizzled like wet fireworks, and Norvell now stares down a four-man QB room with more questions than clarity.
The Noles have talent, but talent hasn’t guaranteed success in recent years. Florida State enters 2025 with four names in the quarterback room. Thomas Castellanos, Brock Glenn, Kevin Sperry, and Jaylen King. Each brings something different to the table, but none has yet proven to be “the guy.” As analyst Scott Fisher bluntly put it, “We do need to talk about last year’s team. After losing their Heisman quarterback, Jordan Travis, to injury, we saw both Tate Rodemaker and Brock Glenn play at the end of the 2023 season, and neither of them were any good.”
With Travis drafted by the Jets and DJ now somehow on the Chargers roster, FSU fans are wondering whether history is set to repeat itself. “There was a ridiculous amount of hype for DJ, but as always, he ended up falling apart,” Fisher said. That collapse gave Glenn another shot, but Florida State’s offense never found its footing. Now, the quarterback shuffle continues into 2025, starting with Jaylen King. He’s the wild card of the group—a four-year starter in high school with over 3,000 total yards but a meandering college path.
He began at Gardner-Webb and later transferred to East Tennessee State, where he played 10 games and threw for 1,600 yards and nine touchdowns. “He didn’t put up great numbers at a low level,” Fisher noted, “but he’s seen as a dual-threat player who projects as a depth piece and somebody with a lot of potential.” The question is whether the ceiling matches the upside Mike Norvell needs right now.
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on during the fourth quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Then there’s Kevin Sperry, a name quietly generating buzz. Originally from Torrance, California, Sperry grew up steeped in football tradition—his father played linebacker at Washington State back in 2002. Sperry’s game has always been defined by athleticism and vision. While he’s not yet seen live college snaps, there’s a raw competitiveness and command that FSU’s staff finds intriguing. He might not be ready to lead out of the gate, but there’s long-term upside in his ability to stretch the field vertically and extend plays off-script.
Brock Glenn returns with the most familiarity, but familiarity isn’t always comfort. “He’d always been a dual-threat quarterback,” Fisher explained. “In middle school he played in the Wing T offense. He had a different mindset and high expectations when he ended up in high school, and he was in an RPO system.” But after 2023’s late-season struggles, the clock is ticking. He’s not just fighting for the starting role—he’s fighting to prove he belongs in the conversation.
Finally, Thomas Castellanos may be the most divisive of the group. On paper, he checks a lot of boxes—smart, coachable, dynamic. “He was one of those players that high school coaches could not wait to get on their team,” Fisher said. But baggage follows him. “There still are some question marks around his game. How good of a quarterback can he be, and more importantly, how good of a leader can he be? He ended up losing his starting job and quit on the team.” That kind of red flag doesn’t fade easily, especially for a team looking for stability under center.
Can Thomas Castellanos be FSU’s comeback king for Mike Norvell?
Florida State is on a mission to reclaim its spot atop the ACC, and Mike Norvell believes he’s found the right man to lead the charge. Boston College transfer Thomas Castellanos. After an injury-hampered 2023 season that limited his production to 1,366 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, Castellanos saw his starting role at BC slip away. Rather than stick around, he hit the portal and stayed in conference, landing at FSU.
And Norvell? He’s not just hopeful—he’s hyped.
“Our expectations are for him to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country,” Norvell declared to Warchant. That’s a bold statement, but one Norvell seems confident backing up. Castellanos arrives in Tallahassee with plenty to prove, but Mike Norvell isn’t seeing any baggage from how things ended in Chestnut Hill. In fact, he’s seeing the opposite.
“He’s got great skill with his arm, with his legs. But the thing I’ve been so impressed with is just his leadership,” Norvell added. With a crowded quarterback room—featuring four other contenders—the fall camp will be spicy.
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