1. Just because, in a very rare case, BYU will let someone follow the prop 48 path doesn't mean they have lower standards than Utah. There are plenty of guys BYU quits recruiting because BYU doesn't think they'll cut it academically that end up at the U.
2. He might have needed the year without football at BYU to make it academically. He might do just fine academically at Utah even while playing football.
I'm not saying the best of the U's students aren't bright and they don't do well. I am saying their floor is lower than BYU's.