Georgia's football program, under Kirby Smart since 2016, has faced its share of off-field issues, with over a dozen player arrests casting a shadow over their impressive achievements. Despite winning back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022 and making three championship appearances this decade, the Bulldogs can't seem to shake their reputation as college football's troublemakers.
This week, however, Georgia found itself in the spotlight for a situation entirely unrelated to Athens. Florida State kicker Conor McAneney was arrested on Wednesday, facing two third-degree felony charges.
The news, broken on social media, revealed that McAneney was accused of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence. The 20-year-old, originally from Ireland, also faces a misdemeanor trespassing charge, with his bond set at $2,750.
Interestingly, this incident sparked a wave of comments targeting Georgia, despite their lack of involvement. Fans took to social media with jabs and jokes, drawing unnecessary comparisons between the Bulldogs and the unrelated arrest.
According to Fort Lauderdale police, McAneney's troubles began after being removed from several bars for causing disturbances. The situation escalated around 2:30 a.m. at Rock Bar on Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, leading to his arrest. The charges are serious, with each third-degree felony in Florida carrying a potential five-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $5,000.
For Florida State, McAneney's legal woes add to a challenging offseason. Having transferred from Division II Quincy University, where he made seven of 10 field goals in 2025, McAneney was brought in to strengthen a depleted kicker lineup.
With Jake Weinberg and Brunno Reus entering the transfer portal, FSU was already in need of reinforcement. The addition of Oklahoma State's Gabe Panikowski was supposed to create healthy competition, but now the Seminoles are down a contender before spring practice even begins.
While the Georgia comparisons will likely fade, the impact of McAneney's situation on Florida State's offseason strategy is significant. Coach Mike Norvell now faces unexpected challenges as he navigates damage control in Tallahassee.