ROCKLIN, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers acquired running back Roosevelt Snipes of Florida State in Thursday's NFL Supplemental Draft, a team spokesman said.
Snipes, a 5-foot-7, 177-pounder, became eligible for the special draft after fulfilling league hardship requirements.
He had run into academic problems at Florida State during the fall of 1984 and needed to pass a number of classes this summer in order to return.
'About halfway through the summer it became apparent he would not be back,' an athletic department spokesman said. 'It came as no shock that we would not have him this fall.'
Snipes' selection was the only move made at Thursday's draft. It cost the 49ers an eighth-round pick in the 1986 regular draft.
Before he ran into academic problems, the spokesman said Snipes was expected to be the club's top halfback this year.
Snipes lived in the shadow of All-America Greg Allen during his stay with the Seminoles. He gained 1,385 yards and scored 10 touchdowns during his two years at FSU. That was good for ninth on the all-time Florida State rushing list. He also returned 28 kicks for a 21-yard average.
In 1984, Snipes came off the bench when Allen was injured. He rushed for 151 yards against highly-rated South Carolina and matched that total against Tennessee-Chattanooga. In 10 contests last year, Snipes picked up 756 yards on 118 carries for three touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 28 yards and another three TDs.
Florida State originally signed Snipes out of high school in Sarasota, Fla. However, his academic problems forced him to play a year at Coffeyville, Kan., Junior College while he improved his grades. While there, he rushed for 10 yards a carry.
