Tennessee football's Darel Middleton set for preliminary hearing after initial appearance

Tennessee Vols defensive lineman Darel Middleton is scheduled for a March 30 preliminary hearing after making an initial appearance in Knox County General Sessions Court on Monday.

He's pleading not guilty to misdemeanor charges of domestic assault and public intoxication after allegations he twice shoved his girlfriend, causing her injury.

An officer responded to call at 2:44 a.m. Feb. 29 for an incident that allegedly occurred in an alley behind Walgreens on Cumberland Avenue. Middleton, 23, was arrested nearby at The Standard at Knoxville apartments.

“We’re aware of the incident, and we’re gathering more information," UT team spokesman Bill Martin said on Feb. 29.

Middleton twice shoved his girlfriend to the ground after fighting with a male friend, according to an online arrest warrant. Middleton was jealous of one of his girlfriend's male friends, "became very angry" and began fighting with his own friend, according to the report.

Middleton's girlfriend tried to break up the fight, and Middleton shoved her to the ground, according to the report. After hugging her and apologizing, he then shoved her again, according to the report.

When police located Middleton at the apartment complex, he smelled of alcohol and had "blood shot eyes and slurred speech," according to the online arrest warrant.

His girlfriend had a scrape on her left knee that resulted from Middleton shoving her the second time, according to the report.

The police report stated that Middleton's girlfriend was "crying and appeared to be in fear" when an officer spoke with her at the apartment complex.

Middleton, a senior, is a junior college transfer who played in high school at Oak Ridge. He finished with 28 tackles last season in his first season with the Vols. He played in every game and made six starts.

Blake Toppmeyer covers University of Tennessee football. Email him at blake.toppmeyer@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. If you enjoy Blake’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. Current subscribers can click here to join Blake's FREE text group offering updates and analysis on Vols football.