Brandon Warren’s potential transfer to the University of Tennessee hit its first snag Tuesday.

Florida State, where Warren initially signed out of Alcoa High School, denied the freshman All-America tight end a release from his scholarship.

"We’re all a little disappointed in Florida State," said Warren’s mother Deirdre, who also said she was more disappointment in Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden for not granting her son a release.

Without one, Warren could not receive a scholarship from his new school for one year.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Florida State typically grants releases to athletes provided they do not transfer within the ACC or to rival Florida, an annual opponent.

Deirdre Warren said her son plans to appeal FSU’s decision to the school’s NCAA faculty representative.

The results of that hearing are final.

"I really don’t know," Deirdre Warren said when asked what comes next in the process. "(FSU associate athletic director for compliance Brian Battle) is going to send me the paperwork to show me what the next step is."

Warren has not spoken with media since abruptly returning home Feb. 9.

According to his mother, Warren sent paperwork to withdraw from school late last week.

Warren’s mother said FSU acknowledged receipt of that information last Thursday, however the Florida State registrar’s office would not confirm Warren’s withdrawal Tuesday afternoon.

He was still enrolled as of late last week. Friday was the last day to withdraw and be guaranteed not to receiving grades.

The next hurdles for Warren involve a lot more paperwork.

In order to be eligible by the fall — a feat that could prove difficult — he would need to receive a hardship waiver from the NCAA to avoid a being penalized a year of eligibility for violating his national letter of intent.

The letter of intent program stipulates that players must complete one academic year at the institution with which they sign in exchange for a guaranteed scholarship.

He would also need a hardship to avoid the one-year penalty for basketball and football transfers from one Division I school to another.

Academics could also come into play.

Because he withdrew before the end of the semester, Warren would be ineligible under the satisfactory progress rule.

He could, however, receive a waiver from the NCAA.

At worst, Warren would likely be eligible in 2008, with three years left to play two.

He would be allowed to practice with the Vols once he was admitted to the university and enrolled in classes.