False or at least unproven assumption. What actual data or evidence supports this notion that Illinois sets up a football player attending undergrad here so much better later in life than these other schools? Reality also being that the whole football team aren't all EE majors. An ex-football player with a Sociology degree from Oklahoma or Alabama may well have better alumni connections, opportunities, and outcomes than they would from U of I.
Yes, this is an important thing to understand. Those football factories have a deep network of people looking out for their guys, and it's not like an Illinois education is Harvard, it's not wildly more marketable in that way.
Illinois is a terrific opportunity under Lovie Smith and we should sell it with conviction and good faith, no need to denigrate anyone else in the process.