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Alabama players have starkly different reactions to polarizing comments by FSU QB Thomas Castellanos ahead of their Week 1 matchup

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 11:24 AM ET

New Florida State starting quarterback Thomas Castellanos doesn't lack for confidence. And that's not a bad thing to inject into the roster of a program that went 2-10 in 2025.

However, the Boston College transfer made some serious waves last month when he made some bold comments about the Seminoles' season-opening foe in the Alabama Crimson Tide. Castellanos said, "they don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me."

Naturally, those words made their way to some Alabama players, and one of them had the chance to interact with Castellanos directly. Crimson Tide WR Isaiah Horton and Castellanos were working out together along with former Hurricanes Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo (Horton's former teammates at Miami), and Castellanos explained to Horton what he meant by what he said.

Thomas Castellanos chats with Bama WR Isiah Horton about his confidence ahead of FSU-Alabama season opener.

“If you ever watch any interview, I don’t ever talk like that. But like, them boys are coming off 2-10 — I just wanted to instill some confidence.”

“I’m tryna get my… pic.twitter.com/5X1AXS1WJ8
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) July 16, 2025

“If you ever watch any interview, I don’t ever talk like that," Castellanos said. "But like, them boys are coming off 2-10, I just wanted to instill some confidence, you hear me? That's all I'm trying to do. I'm just trying to get some confidence. I'm just trying to get my boys ready to go.”

Horton seemed to understand that, slapping hands with Castellanos, saying, "I feel that same s---, bro".

However, one Alabama player already seems to have circled the comments as bulletin board material. Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson had a simple and to the point response.

Alabama LB Deontae Lawson on Tommy Castellanos’ comments about Tide not being able to stop him: “All disrespect will be handled accordingly.”
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) July 16, 2025