Louisville defensive end Devonte Fields is going on trial for assault charges.
Devonte Fields will go on trial on June 17 for misdemeanor assault after failing to reach an agreement to dismiss him of the charge. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor and he could face up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
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Fields, who was given the prestigious honor of Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a true freshman at TCU in 2012 was charged last July with assault causing bodily injury to a family member after he allegedly hit his ex-girlfriend. He has worked to reach an agreement to reduce the charge, taking anger management classes that he is scheduled to complete on June 24.
The Tarrant County District attorney’s office declined to comment on the matter per ESPN’s Max Olson, but did confirm the date of the trial. A dismissal of the charge would require approval from the prosecutor, as the county itself carries a “no-drop” policy for family violence cases.
Fields was removed from the TCU program last year after the arrest for assault, and took his playing career to Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas where he rehabbed his reputation and showed he can still be a dominant player. He was ranked as the No. 1 weak-side defensive end in junior college, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
He signed with Louisville in February with his case unsolved, and still has plans to enroll in July and is expected to lockdown a starting spot in the fall. A Louisville spokeperson said the school would not comment on any legal matters at this juncture.
This could be a substantial blow to the Louisville defense. Fields was put on both Lombardi Trophy and Butkus Award watch lists last season, and has shown that he has the talent to succeed in the ranks of big-time college football.
Louisville was obviously aware of this hanging over the head of Fields before they brought him in the fold, but if the charges cause him to miss any time, Louisville will have to find a way to make sure that the impact of his loss will be minimized.
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