Castellanos Leads Texas Tech Past No. 22 Arizona
Texas Tech quarterback Thomas Castellanos guided the No. 13 Red Raiders to a 34-26 win over Arizona while his eligibility remains tied to court orders.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
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Texas Tech defeated No. 22 Arizona 34-26, with Thomas Castellanos leading the Red Raiders, who improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12. Castellanos is playing under a temporary injunction while a Kentucky Court of Appeals case over his eligibility remains ongoing.
Why it matters
Castellanos, a Florida State transfer, went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and did not sign a lasting NFL contract, which led him to pursue a return to college. His status could affect Texas Tech's quarterback situation for the rest of the season.
Texas Tech holds a 7-1 overall record and a 4-1 Big 12 mark, while Arizona's Noah Fifita threw for 417 yards in the loss. About 80 FBS players from the Class of 2022 are eligible for a fifth season under court orders, but the Kentucky Court of Appeals has not finished ruling on the broader case.
The players
Thomas Castellanos
Thomas Castellanos is a Florida State transfer quarterback for Texas Tech who has pursued a fifth college season after going undrafted.
Joey McGuire
Joey McGuire is the head football coach of Texas Tech who elevated Castellanos to starter ahead of the Arizona game.
The details
Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire benched Will Hammond and elevated Castellanos before the Arizona game. Castellanos had played sparingly earlier in the season after receiving a temporary restraining order in August, and a new temporary injunction was granted two weeks before publication.
Timeline
The 2025 college football season ended with Castellanos apparently out of eligibility.
He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
A temporary restraining order was issued to Castellanos in August.
Texas Tech defeated Arizona 34-26 on Saturday.
A new temporary injunction was granted about two weeks before publication.
Season Trajectory
Castellanos is one of about 80 FBS players from the Class of 2022 who are eligible for a fifth season due to court orders, a situation that is reshaping roster planning across college football. His availability could determine whether Texas Tech keeps its 7-1 start on track as the Red Raiders pursue conference contention.
Texas Tech's quarterback status depends on the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruling and the temporary injunction now in place. Fantasy managers and bettors tracking Texas Tech should watch for any change to Castellanos' availability before the next game.
The takeaway
Castellanos' eligibility now depends on court rulings rather than conventional NCAA rules, so fans and fantasy managers should monitor the Kentucky case closely. Texas Tech's chances in the Big 12 hinge on how that case is resolved.
What happens next
The Kentucky Court of Appeals case over Castellanos' eligibility is ongoing, with no ruling date reported.
Further reading
For more on Texas Tech's season, see Lubbock Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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