Devonte Fields, TCU part ways

TCU defensive end Devonte Fields, who is alleged to have assaulted his ex-girlfriend, has been permanently separated from the university, a school spokesman said Thursday.

Fields would likely have to sit out the 2014 season due to the nature of his disqualification as an eligible student-athlete.

He could play at a junior college before entering the NFL draft. The third-year sophomore will become draft eligible this spring.

Fields had announced a plan to enroll at Stephen F. Austin but he was ineligible due to NCAA rules. Fields' appeal for eligibility was also unsuccessful.

Fields was the Big 12 preseason defensive player of the year. He had been separated from TCU while awaiting the ruling of a judicial hearing to determine whether he would be suspended for violating the university's code of student conduct. Fields was suspended by the school last month after he surrendered to authorities on a misdemeanor assault warrant, stemming from allegations he threatened his ex-girlfriend and punched her.

In two seasons at TCU, Fields recorded 57 tackles, 10 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss. He was suspended for one game and played in just three in 2013 due to a season-ending foot injury.

Information from ESPN.com's Max Olson and The Associated Press is included in this report.