then yes, it seems like a raw deal. They got more than just food stipends, access to training facilities, and coaching. What they decided to do with those things (e.g., education) is up to them.

More importantly, you are talking about a tiny sliver of college football players. Miniscule. And yet the solutions that are proposed would affect (mostly adversely) all college athletes (not just football players). You don't legislate for the exceptions.