Quote:O'Neal's eligibility for fall is in doubt
By Steve Ellis
TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER


The freshman season of Florida State wide receiver Kenny O'Neal is on hold while the NCAA Clearinghouse reviews his case.

O'Neal did not participate in Tuesday's practice and will not be involved in practices until the NCAA Initial Eligibility matter is cleared.

FSU coach Bobby Bowden confirmed O'Neal's status and said if the appeal is not settled in his favor the speedster would plan on enrolling at FSU in January after sitting out the fall semester.

O'Neal caught 35 passes for 850 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at Oakland (Calif.) Skyline. He was the Georgia state champion in the 100 meters as a sophomore before he moved to California. O'Neal is the son of former New Orleans Saints tight end Kenny O'Neal Sr.

Another freshman is waiting for the word on his status this season. Former Lincoln standout Rodney Gallon underwent an MRI on Tuesday morning, but FSU Director of Medicine Randy Oravetz said results were not available. Gallon, a linebacker, injured his knee in kickoff coverage during Monday's practice.

Reserve fullback Chad Canfield will be out 4-5 weeks. Canfield said he suffered three mild concussions last week. He is only experiencing headaches.

Former North Florida Christian linebacker Ernie Sims is also being held out of practice after suffering two mild concussions last week. Bowden said holding out Sims benefits the team.

"The last scrimmage we had, he was only in there three plays and he put two out, and then put himself out," Bowden said. "We wouldn't have anybody left if we left him out there."

Rings show up on eBay

Off the football field, four rings - the 2000 Sugar Bowl, 1999 Fiesta Bowl, the 2000 ACC championship and 1992 ACC championship - with the name Andrews imprinted on them were up for auction on eBay on Tuesday. FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews would not comment, and it is not known how the rings reached eBay for auction. Two of the rings are shown with the engraving "Mickey Andrews" in cursive.

The seller is listed as Hock To Me Pawn in Fort Lauderdale. At one point on Tuesday evening, bids ranged from $759 to a high of $1,525 for the 1992 ring.

It is not against NCAA rules for a coach to sell a ring. But following media reports in 2003 of sales of rings belonging to college football players, including FSU's Willie Jones and some Georgia Bulldogs, the NCAA made it a violation for players to sell rings above their face value.

Rimington watch list

FSU David Castillo was one of 40 centers named to the Dave Rimington Trophy watch list. The Rimington Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top college center