Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos is already stirring the pot ahead of the 2025 season opener against Alabama. Speaking with On3’s Pete Nakos, Castellanos said he’s always dreamed of facing the Crimson Tide, boldly claiming that without Nick Saban, “they can’t stop me.”
Those words didn’t sit well with former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, who fired back during an episode of The Dynasty: A Podcast on the Alabama Crimson Tide.
> “Hey Thomas, you might want to stay quiet on this one,” McCarron said. “You just added fuel to the fire, brother. I promise you, I wouldn’t want to be you in the first game. I don’t care how well you run or throw—once you stand in that pocket and take a couple of hits, it’s not going to be fun.”
McCarron didn’t hold back, saying Castellanos’ confidence crossed into “stupidity,” especially given Castellanos’ recent struggles.
> “You’re coming from a team that finished dead last in the ACC,” McCarron added. “I’m all for confidence, but this is stupidity. He should call Bill O’Brien—if they’re still on good terms—and ask him what Alabama’s really like.”
McCarron warned that Castellanos’ trash talk could haunt him if he can’t back it up on the field.
> “If you’re a guy like Thomas, keep your mouth shut and let your play do the talking,” McCarron said. “But now, you’ve run your mouth, and if you don’t back it up, you’ll hear about it all year—and you might end up transferring again.”
Former Alabama QB Warns Florida State’s Castellanos: ‘Season Opener Won’t Be Fun’
