TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Sophomore Marcus Ball, projected to be a starter at outside linebacker in 2008, has been released from his scholarship at Florida State.

The 20-year-old was among some three dozen Seminoles who did not accompany the team to the Music City Bowl in Nashville last December for either injury, discipline or involvement in the academic cheating scandal that sidelined two dozen players.

The school has not identified the players involved in the cheating
scandal.

Despite missing four games with injury, Ball had 24 tackles, a sack and a recovered fumble.

Star receiver Preston Parker also faces a felony gun charge in Palm Beach County and is ineligible to compete until that case is resolved.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)