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TCUÂ has lost one of the Big 12's top players before the season has even begun. Defensive end Devonte Fields announced Wednesday on Twitter that he is transferring to Stephen F. Austin. The school made it official Thursday.  The Big 12 preseason Defensive Player of the Year was "separated" from TCU after he was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend on July 20. He turned himself in to police four days later, after being served with a misdemeanor assault warrant. Fields met with TCU school officials Tuesday but remained suspended from the university following the hearing. A school panel determined Fields had violated the university's code of student conduct based on "a preponderance of evidence." Fields could have appealed the decision. Instead, he will move to Stephen F. Austin, an FCS program where he will be immediately eligible to play the 2014 season. Fields was the Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman in 2012. He was suspended for the first two games of the 2013 season for a violation of team rules and wound up playing in only two games because of a foot injury. Fields tweeted his regards to his soon-to-be-former school. TCU officials said all they can confirm is that "Fields remains separated from TCU." Stephen F. Austin also added freshman defensive back Tarrin Mitchell, who originally signed with Houston. "I'm excited to be able to work with both of these young men as they both bring a great deal of talent to our defensive unit," Lumberjacks coach Clint Conque said. "They both bring a wealth of experience and knowledge at their respective positions and will provide some quality depth." The Horned Frogs open the season Aug. 30 against Samford. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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