Why FSU football's offense hinges on reunion between Tommy Castellanos, Gus Malzahn
Castellanos played under Malzahn as a true freshman at UCF before transferring to Boston College.
The year in Orlando provided Castellanos a chance to learn Malzahn's system, and now he's got the chance to showcase his understanding of it three years later in Tallahassee.
"The great thing is, he does have experience. He was with me at UCF, he had two different offensive coordinators at Boston College, and now we are getting back to what he was running at UCF," Malzahn said Tuesday at FSU's pre-fall media luncheon.
"We are going to play to his strengths, he's got a lot of them."
Tommy Castellanos: Not just a run-first QB
The pair has always been a natural fit.
Malzahn's offensive scheme revolves around a mobile quarterback who can stress defenses with the ability to run or throw downfield.
Castellanos is arguably one of the top rushing quarterbacks in the nation, amassing 1,427 yards on the ground during his career, and he's showcased the ability to be an adept passer, specifically in his final season with the Eagles. His agile playmaking ability pairs well with Malzahn's run-option-heavy attack that gives the quarterback freedom to use his legs.
The passing ability has been a part of Casteallanos's game that has grown the most since his departure from Malzahn and UCF. He threw for 2,248 yards in his first year with Boston College, and added 15 passing touchdowns, and followed with 1,366 yards and 18 touchdowns in eight games in his junior campaign.
Castellanos believes in Malzahn's offensive philosophy and he trusts in his playcalling.
"Coach Malzahn is going to call plays, and he's going to dial things up. He's a great offensive-minded guy. He knows ball," Castellanos said at ACC Kickoff. "So he's going to put me in the best position for the team. Whatever he calls, I'm going to run. It's going to happen."
FSU's mission: Revitalize the offense
With Norvell handing the playcalling responsibility to Malzahn, he's tasked with reviving an offense that ranked near the bottom of major metrics last season.
Malzahn is coming off three straight years of producing a top-20 offense at UCF, and has consistently had top-20 offenses during his coaching career.
For that trend to continue in Tallahassee, Castellanos leading the Seminoles' offense under Malzahn is the key.
"We are going to let him play, protecting the football, getting everything right. So far so good," Malzahn said. "His leadership, we were out there in the spring and he did some really good things. I just know from me, remembering what he was as a true freshman to where he is now, it's like night and day.
"His skillset is really, really high, I think everybody knows that," Malzahn said. "I think he's in a good spot to lead our offense."
FSU football 2025 schedule
Aug. 30, Alabama, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, East Texas A&M, Noon
Sept. 20, Kent State, TBA
Sept. 26, at Virginia (Friday), 7 p.m.
Oct. 4, Miami, TBA
Oct. 11, Pittsburgh, TBA
Oct. 18, at Stanford, 10:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 Wake Forest, TBA
Nov. 8 at Clemson, TBA
Nov. 15 Virginia Tech, TBA
Nov. 21 North Carolina State (Fri.), 8 p.m.
Nov. 29, Florida, TBA
Liam Rooney covers athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football's Gus Malzahn knows Tommy Castellanos has many strengths
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