Add with test optional schools you still need to have to have strong gpa and no legitimate high school is going to fudge a kids transcript.
It doesn’t matter to me how anyone’s child is getting into college - whether through test-optional admissions or a sports scholarship.
My kids were homeschooled, so they focused on academics. They’re not athletes. They’re not even interested in sports. They like computers. One of them scored a full ride to college because his SAT score was in the top 2%.
However, the idea that athletes aren’t intelligent is a myth. It takes intelligence to play football and basketball.