I have gone through many a rough, sleepless night trying to fit in practice and film preparation with academics. Anything can be achieved if you manage your time well. Then again, no one said it should be easy. I do think some players cut corners and do things the wrong way. However, there is a small percentage that do it the right way.
Football is so dominating it is very difficult to cut down.
However, this is the way the system has worked for over a hundred years, so there is a way to work your way around it. You have to have time for academics and athletics and you must be able to manage your time. When you are at school, you have to focus on school. When you complete a class, do the work on that class if there is time before practice. Get as much done as possible before practice.