Seminole Sunday Sauce — July 13, 2025: FSU Football to Send Four to Charlotte for ACC Kickoff
Florida State football hopes to be in Charlotte for the first weekend in December. The Seminoles, however, will be presented by four in the Queen City later this month.
Quarterback Thomas Castellanos, offensive lineman Richie Leonard, defensive tackle Darrell Jackson and defensive back Earl Little will join head coach Mike Norvell on July 23 for ACC Kickoff — the conference’s media days. The Seminoles will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2-10 season in 2024.
Expected to be the starter behind center, Castellanos went to ACC Kickoff last season to represent Boston College. For his career, Castellanos put up nearly 5,000 yards of total offense and 48 total touchdowns with the Eagles.
Leonard is coming off a season-ending injury, but started all 12 games for rival Florida in 2023. Leonard is expected to start along a slew of newcomers up front.
Like Leonard, Jackson also began his collegiate career at a rival school — Miami. In Jackson’s first season at FSU, he finished with 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks to earn All-ACC honorable mention.
A transfer from Alabama, Little play both cornerback and safety last season. He finished his first year for the Seminoles with 15 tackles and one sack.
Fresh off its worst season in a half-century, FSU is looking to bounce back as Norvell enters his sixth season. For his FSU tenure, Norvell is 33-27. In 2023, he was named ACC Coach of the Year and the won Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award as the nation’s top coach. That season, FSU completed a perfect regular season before winning its first ACC title in nine years. The Seminoles will open the 2025 season at home against Alabama on Aug. 30.
FOOTBALL
Commitments: Chauncey Kennon, 4-star CB* (No. 67 overall*)
Decommitments: None
2026 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 15 nationally*, third in ACC (22 total commitments)
Wrap-up: FSU has selected its representatives for Charlotte.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2026 Recruiting Class Rank: N/A (0 total commitments)
Wrap-up: The Seminoles will take on Massachusetts in the Orange Bowl Classic in December.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
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