It's a D1 program that has increased its stock in recent years. Every friend I've had that went there loved it. They weren't hampered by academics either as there are several professionals on my USU friends list some of whom went to top med/law schools.
If academics is the emphasis then the choice is more difficult. At that point BYU should be in the mix but not necessarily a shoe-in. USU and SUU would both be fine choices.
It really comes down to the kid. Not every kid with academic talent is cut out to go to BYU. That's not a knock on the kid either. BYU, for all the good things it is, can be a very strange place.
Ignore those who think NFL potential should matter in this case. It's a bogus argument. Many of the kids BYU or USU get aren't getting recruited for their NFL potential but some of the blossom and end up making it. The truth is it's tough to know if a kid has NFL potential coming out of high school.