QB Tommy Castellanos makes short-sighted claim about Florida State's defense

You have to give Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos credit. He's confident and he knows how to talk a good game. 

Perhaps that's exactly what head coach Mike Norvell and the Seminoles need as they look to bounce back from a disastrous 2-10 campaign in 2024.

Castellanos, a transfer from Boston College, projects to be a dual-threat quarterback who can really make some on-field noise for FSU this season. So far, though, before he's even played a game ... he's been talking a lot of smack to Florida State's opponents.

Earlier this season, he mentioned that he doesn't believe Alabama, FSU's first opponent on Aug. 30, can stop them. He went as far as to say that Nick Saban is no longer there to save the Crimson Tide.

He believes it, too. He also undoubtedly believes that the Florida State defense he's been practicing against over the past few weeks is the best defense in the country.

Castellanos said as much.

“I think coach [Tony] White and our defense is the hardest defense I’ll see all year,” Castellanos said at practice (h/t On3). “Just schematically and stuff like that, what they do. It’s hard to be that good. A lot of moving parts on their end, but it’s helped me a lot and helped me be better and helped me progress as a quarterback and as a player. When to just take the checkdown or when to just eat it, or throw it away. Stuff like that. Know when the play is over.”

The new Florida State defensive coordinator White had the same position at Nebraska for the past two years and he's absolutely one of the top defensive coordinators in the nation.

To say that he'll lead the very best defense in the country, though? That's a bit of a stretch.

Yes, hypothetically, he has better talent at FSU, but in 2024 the Cornhuskers' defense was ranked 19th in the country in total defense and 20th in scoring defense. That's excellent, but it's not elite. Even in 2023, when Nebraska's defense took a huge leap forward under White, the Huskers were still ranked 11th in total defense and 13th in scoring defense.

Can FSU have a good defense under White in 2024? Absolutely. Is this defense the best Castellanos will face all season, though? No, absolutely not. That's hyperbole, and it's a short-sighted statement from a quarterback who still needs to prove himself in Tallahassee.

Castellanos will also have to face No. 8 Alabama, No. 10 Miami, No. 4 Clemson and No. 15 Florida this season. 

Those defenses were already going to be rearing to go for those games. Now, they'll be chomping at the bit to prove Castellanos wrong.