TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos has dropped his appeal for another year of college eligibility and declared for the NFL draft. 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 full 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.
Alone in Santa Clara's practice gym, Thierry Darlan reaches up and grabs onto the bottom of the net with two left fingers. He crosses his left leg over the right and stands with right hand on hip, looking comfortable and beaming as he ponders all he has endured to reach this very place. A place where he feels at home, across the world from family but with people who have provided that same comfort and support.
In another step into the new era of college sports, the first player to go from the G League to college basketball will suit up for the Santa Clara Broncos this fall. The school on Tuesday announced the commitment of Thierry Darlan, a 6-foot-8 guard originally from the Central African Republic. Darlan, 21, will have two years of eligibility after spending the past two seasons playing in the NBA's professional developmental league.
I said, 'Hey, man. You know how people go and train for the combine?' Carter recalled this week by phone. 'Let's just say you got a two-month jump-start. But the difference is, you don't have to go home. You don't have to fly to Florida or someplace. You're getting to do it right here where you're comfortable, with the people that love you and people that are going to support you.' ... 'From then on, he never left the facility.'
