By Mmesoma 
Tuscaloosa, AL – July 6, 2025 — Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos has found himself in the crosshairs of an Alabama legend after boldly calling out the Crimson Tide in a recent interview — and the response was nothing short of scathing.
Castellanos, who transferred to Florida State from Boston College this offseason, stirred the pot last week by claiming Alabama wouldn’t be able to stop him — especially now that Nick Saban is gone. “I’ve always wanted to play Alabama,” Castellanos told On3 Sports. “They don’t have Saban to save them anymore. I don’t think they can stop me.”
Those comments didn’t sit well with former Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron, a three-time national champion and one of the most respected voices from Alabama’s dynasty era. During an appearance on a local Tuscaloosa sports radio show, McCarron didn’t hold back.
> “That’s just stupidity,” McCarron said flatly. “You haven’t played a snap for Florida State, and you’re already talking trash to Alabama? You don’t poke the bear if you’ve never been in the woods.”
McCarron continued, pointing out the difference between confidence and recklessness.
> “We’ve seen guys talk before, and Bama usually handles that kind of talk on the field. If you’re going to make a statement like that, you better be ready to back it up against a program that lives for this kind of bulletin board material.”
Alabama fans quickly rallied behind McCarron’s remarks, flooding social media with support and reminding Castellanos of the Crimson Tide’s reputation for responding fiercely to public challenges.
Fuel to the Fire
Castellanos, known for his athleticism and dual-threat abilities, is expected to be a key figure in Florida State’s offense this fall. But calling out a powerhouse like Alabama — especially under the leadership of new head coach Kalen DeBoer — might not have been the wisest move.
The Tide, who are already gearing up to prove their dominance in a post-Saban era, now have even more motivation heading into what could be a pivotal season.
No official response has come from Castellanos since McCarron’s remarks, but one thing is certain: if these two teams meet in the postseason, the buildup will be electric.
As McCarron put it, “Let the kid talk — Bama’s answer always comes on the field.”