Post by sdaztec4life on Sept 17, 2024 17:37:06 GMT -8
Per KENNEY SDUT: Aztecs wide receiver Baylin Brooks, defensive back Bennett Walker leave the team. San Diego State wide receiver Baylin Brooks has left the SDSU football program and said he will transfer after the fall semester.
The sophomore from Pasadena had two catches in three games this season playing behind junior transfer Louis Brown IV at one of the wide receiver spots.
Brooks was removed from the Aztecs’ roster on Monday after a request to redshirt this season was denied during a meeting with wide receivers coach Lanear Sampson. Senior defensive back Bennett Walker has also left the team.
“It was either, ‘You don’t redshirt and we don’t kick you off the team,’ or ‘You redshirt and we kick you off the team,’” Brooks said. “It was black and white. Just like that.”
SDSU head coach Sean Lewis was not available for comment. The Aztecs (1-2) are off this week and resume the season Sept. 28 at Central Michigan.
Brooks said he broached the subject of redshirting last week, after his playing time went from 51 plays in the season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce to 23 plays the following week against Oregon State. He had one reception for seven yards in each game. “Not once in my mind did I think about transferring. They brought that upon me. I was really disappointed to hear that. It really showed me that they had no interest in my future in the program.”
Brooks said he did not get a chance to speak with Lewis about the situation. He waited briefly to speak with Lewis outside the coach’s office after Monday morning’s practice, but left before Lewis was available following a meeting and his weekly news conference.
He started four games in 2023, collecting 15 receptions for 261 yards.
The highlight was his 117 yards against Boise State, making him the first true freshman wide receiver with at least 100 yards in a game since Az Hakim in 1994.
Walker, a Patrick Henry High School graduate who transferred from Eastern Michigan, competed for a starting spot at cornerback with senior transfer Bryce Phillips during training camp. He played 41 snaps against Texas A&M-Commerce, but saw his playing time reduced to 20 snaps against Oregon State and 15 at Cal while backup cornerback Jaleni Whitmore played a larger role.
The sophomore from Pasadena had two catches in three games this season playing behind junior transfer Louis Brown IV at one of the wide receiver spots.
Brooks was removed from the Aztecs’ roster on Monday after a request to redshirt this season was denied during a meeting with wide receivers coach Lanear Sampson. Senior defensive back Bennett Walker has also left the team.
“It was either, ‘You don’t redshirt and we don’t kick you off the team,’ or ‘You redshirt and we kick you off the team,’” Brooks said. “It was black and white. Just like that.”
SDSU head coach Sean Lewis was not available for comment. The Aztecs (1-2) are off this week and resume the season Sept. 28 at Central Michigan.
Brooks said he broached the subject of redshirting last week, after his playing time went from 51 plays in the season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce to 23 plays the following week against Oregon State. He had one reception for seven yards in each game. “Not once in my mind did I think about transferring. They brought that upon me. I was really disappointed to hear that. It really showed me that they had no interest in my future in the program.”
Brooks said he did not get a chance to speak with Lewis about the situation. He waited briefly to speak with Lewis outside the coach’s office after Monday morning’s practice, but left before Lewis was available following a meeting and his weekly news conference.
He started four games in 2023, collecting 15 receptions for 261 yards.
The highlight was his 117 yards against Boise State, making him the first true freshman wide receiver with at least 100 yards in a game since Az Hakim in 1994.
Walker, a Patrick Henry High School graduate who transferred from Eastern Michigan, competed for a starting spot at cornerback with senior transfer Bryce Phillips during training camp. He played 41 snaps against Texas A&M-Commerce, but saw his playing time reduced to 20 snaps against Oregon State and 15 at Cal while backup cornerback Jaleni Whitmore played a larger role.
