College Football Quarterback Stepping Away From Team After Benching
11/12/2024 02:30 PM
During Boston College's 37-31 win over Syracuse on Saturday, the Eagles made a change at quarterback.
Backup Grayson James, who had started a game earlier this season in place of an injured Thomas Castellanos, took over for Castellanos against the Orange and played effectively in the second half, completing 5-of-6 passes for 51 yards and a critical fourth quarter touchdown. The performance from the FIU transfer was enough for BC head coach Bill O'Brien to name James the starting quarterback for Saturday's game at No. 13 SMU.
When announcing the change at QB Tuesday, O'Brien also raise eyebrows by revealing that Castellanos would be "taking a couple days" away from the program in response to getting benched.
"Tommy has done a great job for us," O'Brien said, via BCEagleAction's Kevin Stone. "He's an awesome competitor. We have a lot of respect for Tommy. Obviously, he wasn't real thrilled with that so he's taking a couple days (away from the team), so I'll get back to you on that one. But, Grayson James will be the starter."
Castellanos, who transferred from UCF to Boston College prior to the 2023 season, was the Eagles' starter last season and for eight of their nine games so far this year. He missed a September contest against Western Kentucky due to injury, with James filling in and throwing for 168 yards, one touchdown and one interception and adding a rushing score in a 21-20 win.
"He was very poised (vs. Syracuse)," O'Brien said of James. "There was a couple things he'd like to have back like all of us, coaches and players alike. But, overall, he played a solid game & was instrumental in helping us win the game.
"Much improved player. A guy that's very smart. Great student. A guy that the team really respects. A guy the team has a lot of support for him. He's gotten better. He was injured. He missed a lot of time. He had a labrum injury and came back from that and just kind of grinded it out. Our quarterback and a guy we're going with."
We'll see if Castellanos, who has thrown for 1,366 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season, returns to the Eagles in the coming days.
In the meantime, it will be James starting for 5-4 Boston College in Dallas Saturday afternoon.
Related: The NCAA Has Placed USC's Football Program On Probation
