Agreed. I ripped him, too. And I still think he shouldn't be in school, let alone on the team.
It's about letting perpetrators of violent crimes be the most prominent ambassadors of the University, and get a free education while doing so.
To me, the turning point between a violent person and a mistake was the second assault. At that point, even if you give him the benefit of the doubt and say he didn't know what was up on the first one, DJ knew what was going on the second time around, and still participated. It was two incidents of violence on helpless students.
There are three criminals who I think are lower than murderers and rapists: Child beaters, wife beaters, and sexual molesters of children. Not far behind are abusers of animals. In all cases, it's about lording a physical advantage over a helpless victim, gaining nothing more than pleasure in the act.
The physical difference between (1) a child and an average 20-year-old male isn't a lot different from (2) the advantage held by a 6-foot+, 200+ pound athlete in national class (if not world class) physical condition, over an average college student. That's especially true when that average student faces multiple perps with similar physical capability, and is ambushed, unable to prepare for the fight.
It was cowardice and sadism of a criminal order. I've heard that DJ actually stood watch rather than participate in the two bludgeonings. Assuming that's true (and because records are sealed, we don't know that to be a fact), that doesn't gain any traction with me.
I know whereof I speak.