For those who think it's ok and now we get him and Yakwe for 4 more years I really think you're just dreaming. We see 5th year transfers all the time and other situations come up. I highly doubt both, if either, stay here for 5 years. So yes, I want them playing and playing as soon as possible. As a fan it sucks going into a season already assuming we are going to stink. It's not like the pros where a draft pick is waiting at the end of the tunnel. While next years class may be fine, the 2017, 2018 classes our staff is working so hard for may have a real difficult time materializing if we win 5 games this year.
I, like yourself, don't believe it's okay to get both Yakwe and LoVett next season or for a 5th year. I'm not saying, it's a bad thing to get 'em next season, either. But, we definitely could use both for this season. It would also give 'em some experience going into next season, if they were suiting up.
I also was never one who felt Yakwe should be redshirted, if he was cleared to play this season. You play to win, and Yakwe would be of help for us, if he was able to suit up, this season. He hustles his ass off, and he'd be valuable on the boards and blocking shots. So, losing him and LoVett this season could be the difference of looking halfway decent (albeit, still a tough season) versus looking like hot garbage.
As, I stated about a week ago, this season is a pass for Mullin and the staff. I'm hoping we can see improvement and get better throughout the season. I'm also hoping the '17 and '18 recruits aren't shortsighted, and see what the staff is attempting to build long-term. Otherwise, they may get cold feet and go for the "sure" thing, if they assume things are gonna be bleak. Finishing off the 2016 class with a huge bang (ie, Freudenberg, Ahmed, Alkins, Maker) could end up being more imperative than us winning 10 or 11 games. The '17 and '18 recruits may take it, as we're actually building, and not believe their commitment to the Johnnies would be some sort of leap of faith, per se'. We just have to get it (a bonanza-like '16 class) to come to fruition.