Five Florida A&M transfers ineligible

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Officials at Florida A&M have been notified that five players who transferred from Division 1-A schools will not be eligible this fall.

The school has been told it lost waiver appeals on the five because they had not sat out the required year under NCAA guidelines.

Among them is quarterback Willie Simmons, a native of Quincy, Fla., who came from Clemson, where he has a marketing degree. He will not have any eligibility left beyond this season.

Four other players will have to sit out the 2003 campaign.

Also, four players were cleared to compete this year, including linebacker Chris Buie and defensive back Julius Ware.

"I was happy for the players whose waivers were approved, and of course it goes without saying that we are disappointed for the players who were denied," said Jonathan Evans, the school's assistant athletic director for compliance.

A decision about an appeal will be made shortly. The school's application to compete at the Division 1-A level was approved on July 21.