Texas Tech received a boost on Wednesday when quarterback Tommy Castellanos announced his plans to play for the Red Raiders in the 2026 season. However, the excitement was short-lived, as the Big 12 decided to ban athletes returning from the NFL, sparking immediate reactions across the college football community.
The Big 12 went further than the Big Ten and SEC policies, extending the ban to every conference-sponsored sport and stating it applies regardless of how the NCAA rules on a player’s eligibility.
Big 12 Ban Sparks Major Reactions Over Tommy Castellanos’ Texas Tech Move
Castellanos was one of 10 athletes granted a temporary restraining order by a Kentucky judge last Friday, allowing them to pursue a fifth season of college football.
However, his situation quickly became complicated after he committed to Texas Tech, and the Big 12 unanimously approved a new rule on Wednesday barring professional athletes from returning to college competition in any sport.
The Big 12’s policy applies to athletes who declared for a professional draft and remained in the draft pool, players who appeared on a professional roster, and those who signed contracts with professional sports leagues.
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Meanwhile, the timing created an awkward situation for Joey McGuire’s Texas Tech following the Castellanos update, triggering reactions from many across social media.
“LMAO Texas Tech just got kicked again not even on purpose lol,” one said.
LMAO Texas Tech just got kicked again not even on purpose lol
— Kelby (@ElementalWolf21) August 27, 2026
“Joey McGuire punching air right now,” a fan joked.
Joey McGuire punching air right now
— joseph kirkpatrick (@josephkirkpatri) August 26, 2026
“Sounds like Tommy Castellanos is ineligible,” another added.
Castellanos declared for the NFL Draft after withdrawing his appeal for another season of college eligibility when the NCAA rejected his initial waiver request. He ultimately went undrafted but later participated in a Miami Dolphins receiver tryout during the team’s rookie minicamp.
Castellanos never appeared on an NFL roster, but his participation in the NFL draft process could now create an eligibility issue under the Big 12’s new rule.
The situation is particularly significant for Texas Tech because the Red Raiders have faced uncertainty at quarterback since Brendan Sorsby was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA over gambling violations. Texas Tech was subsequently expected to turn to Will Hammond under center.
However, Castellanos seemed to provide the program more hopes, making the Big 12’s announcement especially frustrating for Red Raiders supporters.
“So every other team in the league can do it, but the Big 12 continues to [expletive] over Texas Tech,” a fan said.
So every other team in the league can do it but the big 12 continues to screw over Texas Tech
— Reese David (@reesedavid77312) August 27, 2026
“Texas Tech would like to have a word,” a fan said.
“Wondering how Texas Tech fans will spin this right after the Tommy Castellanos news,” a fan mentioned.
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Castellanos is a dual-threat quarterback who spent the 2025 season at Florida State, where he threw for 2,760 yards and 15 touchdowns while contributing 557 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground. His performance earned him an 86.5 PFN QB Impact grade for the 2025 season, which ranked 18th nationally.
