Boston College benches QB Thomas Castellanos forward of SMU conflict

Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien said he’s benching starting quarterback Thomas Castellanos, with Grayson James to start Saturday against No. 13 SMU instead.

The Eagles (5-4, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) have three remaining games and need one win to become bowl eligible.

O’Brien said that Castellanos has decided to take a few days away from the team in the wake of the coach’s decision.

“Tommy has done a great job for us,” O’Brien said Tuesday. “He’s an awesome competitor. We have a lot of respect for Tommy. Obviously, he wasn’t real thrilled.”

After Castellanos limped off the field early in the third quarter last Saturday against Syracuse with an apparent leg injury, he was replaced by James. The sub was 5-of-6 passing for 51 yards and a touchdown but managed an offense that gained 313 rushing yards in the 37-31 win.

Castellanos was 2-of-7 passing for 14 yards with a touchdown and interception when he came out of the Syracuse game.

“I think what’s best for the team right now is for Grayson James to be the starter,” O’Brien said.

Castellanos played in 13 games (12 starts) in 2023 and totaled 2,248 passing yards and 1,113 rushing yards to become the first 2,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher in Boston College history.

This season, he has completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 1,366 yards with 18 TDs and five interceptions. He’s added 194 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

James, a fellow junior, is in his first season with the Eagles after transferring from Florida International.

In limited action with the Eagles, he has completed 24 of 38 pass attempts for 219 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

“He was very poised (against Syracuse),” O’Brien said about 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 and was instrumental in helping us win the game.”

–Field Level Media