UNC Baseball: Jackson Van De Brake enters the transfer portal
One of the recent headlines surrounding the UNC baseball program involves captain Jackson Van De Brake. As reported by multiple outlets, Van De Brake has entered his name into the transfer portal, but he may not be officially out the door.
On3 reported that Van De Brake entered with a "do not contact" designation, which simply means one of two things:
1) Van De Brake has a destination already planned out, or
2) Van De Brake plans on staying with the Diamond Heels but is putting his name in the portal as a backup plan.
At this point in time, option No. 2 looks to be the more likely scenario.
According to R.L. Bynum of the Tar Heel Tribune, Van De Brake told him he does not intend to leave the UNC baseball program. Given that it came directly from the source, it should be a sign of ease for those who hope the infielder returns to Chapel Hill for another season.
After being a Second Team All-ACC selection during his first season as a Tar Heel in 2023, Van De Brake's role diminished significantly during the 2024 season. De Brake appeared in 48 games (20 starts), posting a .213 batting average with one home run and 11 RBIs.
Van De Brake found his way back into the lineup come postseason play, as a clutch double pinch-hit double in the College World Series opener helped the Diamond Heels secure a victory. With the struggles of designated hitter Alberto Osuna, it was Van De Brake who was inserted into the lineup in an effort to provide a boost to the team's struggling offense.
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Although we don't have clarification as to what is going on with Jackson Van De Brake, he certainly will be an interesting player to keep an eye on over the next couple of weeks. As the UNC baseball program is set to lose a ton of offensive star power, Van De Brake's future status will be a huge development this offseason for the Diamond Heels.