Some of today’s top athletes were former college athletes. For example: Tiger Woods (Stanford) or Michael Phelps (University of Michigan).
On the one hand, you get all the help you need to prepare your career as a professional after college. On the other hand, if things do not go as planned, for example, a serious injury occurs and you receive no professional contract, then at least you have completed an excellent education and you must look forward to a successful career in your field of interest.