FSU Denies Warren Request For Release

Former Florida State tight end Brandon Warren has been denied his request for a release from his scholarship that would allow him to transfer to the University of Tennessee without having to pay his own way.

Warren's mother, Deidre, lashed out at the decision.

"I am very disappointed in Florida State right now," she said. "I guess I thought better of Coach Bowden."

FSU acknowledged its denial of the release but noted that because of privacy laws, FSU officials nor Bowden could comment.

Without a release from FSU, this means that Warren will have to pay his way to Tennessee next year. And to be eligible to play next season he must receive three different waivers from the NCAA – including two that are academic related. By withdrawing from FSU during the spring semester, he will not earn the minimum six hours required of student-athletes during a semester or the combined 18 hours for the fall and spring semesters required by the NCAA.

Any NCAA Division I football player who transfers to another Division I school must sit out the next season unless he is granted a hardship waiver by the NCAA. Warren’s mother, Deidre, underwent surgery to remove a cancerous kidney in 2005.

FSU athletic department policy allows for Warren to appeal to the school’s NCAA faculty representative Joe Beckham. A hearing would be set up and Warren and the FSU football program would present their sides to Beckham and non-athletic department personnel. Their decision will be final.

"We're definitely going to appeal to somebody," Deidre Warren said.