Florida State University Suspends Conor McAneney Following Arrest

Florida State University has indefinitely suspended kicker Conor McAneney from all team activities following his arrest in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on charges involving violence against law enforcement.

The suspension, announced by the university on Thursday, March 20, 2026, follows an incident in the early hours of Wednesday, March 19, during the university’s spring break. McAneney, a sophomore transfer originally from Northern Ireland, is facing multiple charges, including two third-degree felonies, according to Broward County jail records.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. On Wednesday. According to reports, McAneney had been removed from several bars for disorderly conduct before the Fort Lauderdale Police Department was called to the scene. Police state that while officers attempted to detain the athlete near the beach, McAneney became “uncooperative and violent.”

Details of the Arrest and Legal Charges

The legal situation facing the FSU kicker is significant. McAneney has been charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence, both of which are classified as third-degree felonies. He faces a first-degree misdemeanor charge for trespassing an occupied structure, according to incident reports.

According to the arresting officer, McAneney attempted to prevent his removal from a bar by grabbing onto barrier gates. The struggle escalated when McAneney allegedly grabbed the officer by the shirt, nearly pulling him into the roadway where traffic was flowing. The officer reported punching the kicker in the face twice to subdue him. Following the struggle, McAneney was taken to Broward Health Medical Center as a precaution before being booked into the Broward County Jail.

Records indicate that McAneney was held on a bond of $2,750.

Impact on Florida State’s Special Teams

The indefinite suspension creates an immediate void in Florida State’s kicking competition. McAneney, a transfer from Division II Quincy University, was brought in this offseason to compete for the starting role. He was positioned to challenge Oklahoma State transfer Gabe Panikowski for the job after the departure of starting kicker Jake Weinberg and reserve Brunno Reus through the transfer portal, as noted in recent team reports.

The timing is particularly disruptive as the team had only just begun spring practice before the break. The coaching staff now faces a depleted depth chart at a critical specialist position as they prepare for the upcoming season.

From Gaelic Football to the ACC

McAneney’s path to Florida State is unconventional. A native of Plumbridge, Tyrone, in Northern Ireland, he competed in Gaelic football at the prep level before moving to the United States to pursue American football. He previously attended CBS Omagh in his hometown before transferring to Quincy University in Illinois.

During the 2025 season at Quincy University, McAneney appeared in 11 games as a placekicker and kickoff specialist. His performance there was promising, as he converted 7-of-10 field goal attempts with a long of 45 yards. He also demonstrated significant leg strength on kickoffs, averaging 60.2 yards across 49 attempts, including 16 touchbacks. His success at the Division II level, which included being named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, made him an attractive target for FSU’s roster.

Athlete Profile: Conor McAneney

As of now, Florida State has not provided a timeline for when McAneney might be reinstated, if at all, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings in Broward County. The university’s statement remains firm that the suspension from all team activities is indefinite.

The next confirmed development will be the court proceedings regarding the felony charges of battery and resisting an officer with violence.

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