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A turbulent offseason for Florida State football has taken another unexpected turn, shifting attention from the field to off-field concerns. The Seminoles are now dealing with the arrest of kicker Conor McAneney on felony charges.
According to reports from Andy Slater, the Florida State kicker was arrested on Wednesday in South Florida and charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer, along with resisting arrest with violence.
Slater reported the news publicly on social media, noting the severity of the charges. As of Thursday morning, McAneney was being held at the main jail.
Florida State has not issued an official statement regarding the incident, and the program is currently not practicing due to spring break. Spring camp had just begun last week, with three practices completed before the pause.
McAneney's path to Florida State is unconventional. He is originally from Plumbridge, Ireland, where he played Gaelic football before transitioning to American football.
He spent one season at Quincy University in Illinois, where he converted 7 of 10 field goal attempts, including a long of 45 yards. After entering the transfer portal, he committed to Florida State as part of the team's effort to rebuild its special teams unit.
Why this matters for Florida State
This incident adds to what has already been a challenging period for the program. After a disappointing 2025 season, the decision to retain head coach Mike Norvell was met with criticism from fans and observers.
The timing of the arrest is especially problematic as it disrupts spring preparations and raises questions about roster stability heading into the new season.
FSU already faced uncertainty at the kicker position following the departure of Jake Weinberg, who made 12 of 19 field goals last season and converted all 46 extra point attempts before transferring to Miami.
With McAneney's status now in question, the Seminoles may need to reassess their depth chart. Redshirt senior Gabe Panikowski is currently listed as the only other kicker on the roster.
While the university has remained silent, the situation is likely to prompt internal evaluation as the program works through spring practices.
For fans, the news compounds frustrations from last season and the ongoing scrutiny around the program's direction. Special teams, often overlooked, now become a focal point once again.
At the same time, the legal process is still unfolding, and any final outcomes or disciplinary actions will depend on further developments.
The immediate focus will be on the legal proceedings involving McAneney and any potential disciplinary response from Florida State.
On the football side, the Seminoles will soon resume spring practices, where competition at the kicker position may become a pressing concern.
As the offseason continues, this situation adds another layer of uncertainty for a program already under pressure to rebound in 2026.