"...college football career..."

College football is not a career unless you are a coach, a trainer, an equipment manager, or a groundskeeper. It might be a way for a tiny number of elite athletes to move into a career in professional football, as only 1.6% of college football players are drafted. It's mainly a way for a scholarship player to get a college degree and make friends who can help them when times get tough, if they have any sense.

Call me crazy, but I think that all criminal charges are ill timed. You are stuck with them for the rest of your life. But neither the loss of the football opportunity nor the charges will cripple anyone if they are in fact not crippled physically. There are people in social services and in non-profits like Goodwill whose job it is to help people like this. But they have to cut the oh woe is me bullshit and make an effort.