I’m aware that DI and II atheltes need to be approved to be on a team, but if an athlete doesn’t meet the admission requirements of the specific college they want to play for, can they still be a part of the team?
Not sure I understand the question - are you asking if some D1 athletes have academics below the standard that would be required if they were not athletes?
You have to be admitted to the college to play with the team. Whether or not the coach is able to use some pull with admissions to get an athlete who would not normally be admitted to the school admitted depends on the school and on how much the coach wants that athlete.
It’s like Rudy Ruttinger from Notre Dame. Same idea, cannot even do club at the school if not admitted.