Tommy Castellanos to Texas Tech: How this doesn't violate Big 12 rules

The signing comes after the departure of Brendan Sorsby in April, when he checked into rehab for a gambling addiction.

Castellanos was given a temporary restriction order by a judge in Kentucky on Aug 21, with which he was able to enter the transfer portal and subsequently go to Texas Tech.

Why Tommy Castellanos to Texas Tech is not like Dae'Quan Wright to LSU

While both Wright and Castellanos went undrafted in the 2026 Draft, Castellanos never signed any type of contract with an NFL team.

The new quarterback for the Red Raiders attended a rookie minicamp with the Dolphins and Titans in May and tried out as a wide receiver, but was never on the active roster, unlike Wright, who did have a contract with the Browns.

The Big 12 joined the Big Ten and the SEC in banning professional athletes from returning to college sports.

But every conference created its own set of policies, the SEC being one of the sharpest of them.

In a statement, the Big 12 announced that no institution of theirs may sign an athlete who has:

• Declared for the draft or supplemental draft of a professional sports league and did not timely withdraw before the draft.
• Been listed on the roster of a professional sports league.
• Signed a contract with any professional sports league to provide athletic services.

Per reports, a player is still eligible if they were undrafted and didn't sign a contract, which would be Castellanos' case.

What Castellanos brings to Lubbock

Castellanos played the 2025 season at FSU, after transferring from Boston College, where he spent two years.

The quarterback had a career high of 2,760 passing yards during his year in Tallahassee and ended with a 5-7 record.

It's been a rocky offseason for Texas Tech, with 19 players out through the transfer portal and the Sorsby controversy.

The Red Raiders finished 2025 with a 12-2 record and a CFP quarterfinal appearance.

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