Thomas Castellanos latest news is the story of a quarterback change that worked. Texas Tech turned to the veteran transfer for its game against Arizona on 31 October 2026, and he delivered a win that kept the Red Raiders firmly in the Big 12 championship race.
Here is what happened, how Castellanos reached Texas Tech, and what comes next.
The Arizona Breakthrough
Texas Tech beat No. 22 Arizona 34-26 on Saturday 31 October 2026 in Lubbock. It was Castellanos’ first start in a Texas Tech uniform, and it came at an important moment: the Red Raiders were bouncing back from their first defeat of the season, a 37-24 loss to unranked Cincinnati on 24 October.
Castellanos completed 11 of 24 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, without throwing an interception. The passing numbers were modest, but his running changed the game. He carried the ball 19 times for 117 yards and another touchdown, giving him 261 yards of total offence and three touchdowns overall.
His touchdown passes went to Terrance Carter and Kenny Johnson. The Johnson score came on fourth-and-two in the red zone, a double-move call suggested by assistant coach Clay McGuire. Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich later praised Castellanos for protecting the football and making decisive reads in the run game.
A Record Day on the Ground
Texas Tech ran for a season-high 328 yards against Arizona. Running back J’Koby Williams had a career-best 175 yards, and together he and Castellanos combined for 292 of the team’s rushing yards.
The pair became the first quarterback and running back duo in Texas Tech history to both rush for more than 100 yards in the same game. Castellanos also became only the seventh quarterback in school history to rush for over 100 yards in a game.
From Boston College and Florida State to Texas Tech
Castellanos is a fifth-year quarterback with plenty of starting experience. He started 21 games at Boston College over two seasons, then started 12 games at Florida State last year before moving to Texas Tech.
He joined the Red Raiders late in the off-season and missed the spring, which meant he had to learn the offence quickly. Head coach Joey McGuire and his staff have said he has picked things up fast despite the late arrival.
Will Hammond had started the first seven games of the season before the switch. After the Cincinnati defeat, the coaching staff decided a change was needed, and Castellanos got his chance against Arizona.
Why Texas Tech Made the Switch
The move was about balance. Leftwich explained that Castellanos’ ability to run opened up options in the offence that were not available before, forcing defences to account for the quarterback as well as the running backs.
That dual threat also takes pressure off the passing game. Even on a day when Castellanos completed fewer than half his passes, Texas Tech still produced 472 yards of total offence and came from behind in the second half to win.
What Comes Next for Castellanos and Texas Tech
After the Arizona win, McGuire confirmed that Castellanos would remain the starter. He was listed at the top of the depth chart for the home game against West Virginia on Saturday night, shown on ESPN, and the coaching staff has backed him publicly.
Texas Tech sits at 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12, and debuted at No. 15 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, just outside the projected 12-team field. With four regular-season games remaining, the Red Raiders need to keep winning to stay in the race for another Big 12 championship appearance.
For Castellanos, the task is to build on one strong performance. If he keeps protecting the football and keeps defences honest with his legs, Texas Tech’s offence has a different look, and the Red Raiders’ season has a new lease of life.
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