degree from a 4-year university is on par with what is required for high school? Or conversely that a kid who graduates from HS is just as qualified for a job as a kid with a college degree?

Grad transfers absolutely should not be held to the same admissions standard as prospective freshmen out of high school. A grad transfer has already completed the very thing 95% of college student athletes are supposed to be working towards. Even if a grad transfer comes in with a B average - something that might not get him admitted as a freshman - as long as he's at whatever the same standard present football players are required to maintain he should be fine because he's already GOT A DEGREE.