Some places they actually do. Some places a third of the starters are getting masters degrees. Some schools actually do not have agricultural recreation and athlete dominated classes. Starts in recruiting. Geberally the best student athletes look for the best schools and you target them . There are a many athletes that are great students.
I work with student-athletes and am very aware of the varying experiences, interests, and readiness they each bring to college. And, I also know that there are very, very few schools who do not make exceptions and accept student-athletes who do not have the credentials to get in the school otherwise. I see it all the time. I also find it sad that people assume all student-athletes are poor student when that couldn't be further from the truth.