Buried… this is a hard team to break through and get playing time (he’s like our 6/7th outfielder). He’s one who could have spent two years playing at a jco developing and then come over, especially if this jco doesn’t count as years played against eligibility thing stands.
I agree with what you’re saying as to the point you’re making but I’m afraid that if this stands it’s going to create a huge logjam at the D-1 level.
Brookins was dead last on the team in batting last year with a perfect BA of .000 and looked badly uncomfortable at the plate. His fall was much better and he ended preseason scrimmages banging out doubles to the gaps. I expected him to play against Dayton, but getting Evans and Jones back is more important. Brookins, Clayton, Myers and Bullen always were in the last group in the batting cages during preseason, which made me worry about their prospects for playing opportunities. The early offensive work by the guys playing so far makes it seem breaking into this lineup will be hard to do.
I think if the jco ruling stands we’ll see d1 schools partner with jco schools as their preferred minor league school. Probably using nil monies from the d1 to pay the jco guys. I think the next iteration of nil is going to include signing for multi year commitments with that majority of the money due upon completion of the required years. I’m not saying I like it or look forward to it but I think this is the way college is going. Add in that nil money is becoming equal to or better than signing bonuses and minor league pay we’re going to see a lot more guys stick around.