<p>There is a huge difference between the academic opportunities available to football players when comparing the Ivies with “academic” non-Ivies. Football at an SEC school (Vandy) or ACC school (Duke) is a full time job academics come after the football commitment ends. </p>
<p>Simply look at the majors of the juniors and seniors on all the rosters. Science? Engineering? Economics? Math? No way. Make no mistake, even at the Ivies, academic compromises will be made due to the time commitment of football. The difference is that the compromises are not as great.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the Ivies offer little chance of a pro football career.</p>
<p>(Yes, I know there is anecdotal evidence going the other way on both points; but do not think of yourself as the exception the impact of full time college athletics - and football is full time even in the “off-season” - on the incoming freshman [in time commitment, exhaustion, etc.] really cannot be overstated!)</p>
<p>In all places, you will get playing time by earning it not because of your initial status as scholly or walk-on. (Though a scholly guy will get the first chance and have more opportunities to succeed. If the walk-on succeeds, he gets the scholly the next year.)</p>