Tag Archives: Tulane University

Tommy Castellanos Declares for the NFL Draft

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Thomas (Tommy) Castellanos is ready for the big leagues…

The 22-year-old Afro-Cuban American college football quarterback for Florida State University has declared for the National Football League (NFL) draft after dropping his appeal for another year of college eligibility.

Tommy Castellanos

Castellanos thanked family, friends, coaches and teammates and “everyone who has supported me along this journey” in a statement posted on social media.

Just Win Management Group, which represented Castellanos during his legal fight, said it supported his decision.

“While the unique facts and circumstances surrounding the petition for an additional year of eligibility did create a path of viability, after careful review and consideration, we fully support Mr. Castellanos’ decision to forego that continued pursuit and focus his attention on preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft,” the agency said in a statement.

The NCAA initially denied Castellanos’ waiver request for a fifth season.

Castellanos, who transferred to Florida State last December after one year at Central Florida and two at Boston College, argued that college football’s sanctioning body should grant him another season because he played in only five games with the Knights in 2022.

Castellanos played against Tulane in the American Athletic Conference title game after starter John Rhys Plumlee aggravated a hamstring injury. Backup Mikey Keene opted out of the game because he wanted to preserve a year of eligibility before entering the transfer portal.

It’s moot now, with the 5-foot-11 Castellanos turning his attention toward preparing for the draft.

Castellanos completed 58.3% of his passes for 2,760 yards this season, with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also led the Seminoles (5-7) with 557 yards rushing and nine scores.

Brandon Gomes Named Assistant General Manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers

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Brandon Gomesis movin’ on up in management…

The 34-year-old Latino former Major League Baseball pitcher has been promoted to vice president and assistant general manager with the Los Angeles Dodgers, continuing the former Tampa Bay Rays player’s climb up the front-office ranks.

Brandon Gomes

Gomes had been serving as director of player development since 2016. He joined the Dodgers’ front office after a five-year career with the Rays.

Gomes began with the Dodgers as their minor league pitching coordinator under then-director of player development Gabe Kapler, who now manages the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Gomes answers to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who like Gomes, is a Tulane Universitygraduate. Friedman was general manager in Tampa Bay for much of Gomes’ pitching career there.

Farhan Zaidi, who had been the Dodgers’ GM, left in November to join the rival San Francisco Giants. Friedman had said the team wouldn’t necessarily be filling his position.

Santos Named to AP All-America Team…

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He may have been born in South America, but Cairo Santos is All-American…

The 21-year-old Tulane University kicker, who was born in Brazil and played high school football in Florida, has been named to the Associated Press All-America team.

Cairo Santos

Santos, who claimed the Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker Award this past weekend, was named the All-American kicker after making all 21 of his field goal attempts, including a 57-yarder against Rice University to tie a school record.

Santos is the first Green Wave football player to earn the honor since kicker Seth Marler made the first team in 2001, and he’s the 19th football player in Tulane history to make All-American.

Santos Wins Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker Award

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It’s official… Cairo Santos is the best kicker in college football for the 2012 season.

The 21-year-old Tulane University kicker, who was born in Brazil and played high school football in Florida, has won this year’s Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker Award.

Cairo Santos

Santos beat out fellow finalists Dustin Hopkins from Florida State University and Caleb Sturgis from the University of Florida.

Tulane may have gone 2-10 this season, but Santos proved to be incredibly valuable to the Green Wave this season and was one of the team’s few bright spots.

Every time Santos came out to attempt a field goal, he converted. He made all 21 of his attempts, including a 57-yarder against Rice University to tie a school record.

“I just had such a good feeling about the kick … perfect snap, perfect hold, perfect operation,” said Santos about that remarkable kick. “It was amazing, one of the best balls I’ve ever hit in my life.”

In all, Santos has 12 kicks of 40 yards or longer.

Current NFL kickers Sebastian Janikowski, Mike Nugent, Kai Forbath and Dan Bailey are all past winners of the award, and this honor gives Santos an excellent chance to take his career to the next level.

While being a professional kicker is certainly not a stable job, NFL teams always have room for a reliable player with a big leg, and Santos has proven this season that he has both of those qualities.

The Green Wave junior is the second kicker from Tulane to win the honor, joining Seth Marler in 2001.