Football or academics isn't everything. 

Ika played at East High and being able to play for hometown BYU allows his close family and friends to attend the games.

Also, being LDS, BYU is the only place that he can be a part of that special environment. 

BYU academics isn't on the same level as Harvard, Princeton, etc, but BYU is no slouch. 

All these kids focus on is the NFL and obviously that is important, but a lot of them miss the big picture. It's more than just the NFL.