Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon suspended for the 2014 season

Oklahoma freshman running back Joe Mixon has been suspended for the season, the school announced Monday.

Oklahoma freshman running back Joe Mixon has been suspended for the 2014 season, the school announced on Monday. Mixon has been removed from the roster and is prohibited from partaking in all team activities, but he will still be eligible for financial aid and allowed to take classes "with appropriate conditions."

Mixon was under investigation for allegedly assaulting an Oklahoma female student at a restaurant near campus in July. On Monday, he pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge.

If found guilty, Mixon could face up to one year of jail time and a $500 fine. 

Mixon had not participated in Oklahoma's preseason training camp. The school released a statement regarding Mixon's suspension:

Official Statement of The University of Oklahoma: pic.twitter.com/im5K96GnCE

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) August 18, 2014

More: Oklahoma suspends linebacker Frank Shannon for entire 2014 season

The top-rated all-purpose back in the recruiting class of 2014​, according to Rivals.com, Mixon was expected to compete for playing time with sophomores Keith Ford and Alex Ross. The Sooners lost all three of their top running backs from last season, most notably Brennan Clay and Damien Williams.  

Last week Oklahoma announced that linebacker Frank Shannon, the team's leading returning tackler, was suspended for the season amid an internal investigation of sexual assault allegations against him.

Earlier this summer, former Missouri receiver Dorial Green-Beckham -- who was dismissed from the Tigers after being implicated in an assault investigation into an April altercation involving Green-Beckham, his girlfriend and two other women -- transferred to Oklahoma and joined football team. The school is reportedly appealing for Green-Beckham's immediate eligibility.

The Sooners, ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP Poll, open the season on Aug. 30 against Louisiana Tech.

-- Chris Johnson