Was confronted with a similar situation just recently. My son is a senior in high school and is a good football player. 2X all conference right tackle, 6'4", 250. 1400 SAT. Good student, outstanding young man, eminently coachable. Upon graduation from college, wants to be commissioned as a USMC officer.
He could perhaps walk on at a D1 school if he wanted to. And if that's what he wants, I'm OK with it. My input - you may not ever play, but if you love to play and want to be part of a big program then go ahead and walk on. Of course you may not be asked to join the team.
On the other hand, he's a good student with decent SATs. He could play at a DIII team such as Washington University, Case Western, U of Chicago, etc. These schools are fairly selective and he might be on the bubble as a student only. However, I believe football would tilt the scales in his direction. Most unfortunately, his mother (my ex) will not encourage anything I propose no matter how valid, how rational or how well-reasoned.
She once told me that before she could determine which university was better between Harvard and Slippery Rock, she would "have to see the data". Slippery Rock has an acceptance rate of 95%+.
The bottom line is that I want him to do what he wants to do. One of my roles as a father is to give him the best advice possible, but the choice is his to make.