You have to understand, the term "Recruited Athlete" doesn't mean exactly what it means when you hear about a recruited athlete at a traditional university. For instance, when an athlete is recruited to play a sport like football at Ohio State, they are being offered basically a contract. They're guaranteed to be accepted, they're on the team, they're getting a scholarship, etc. At the academies, it's different. At the air force academy, they might have 50-60 athletes that they are interested in say for football, and they call them all "Recruited Athletes". But the truth is, accept for a small amount of them, the majority aren't getting any special consideration, attention, or assistance. The overwhelming majority are applying to the academy just like everyone else. They have to get a nomination just like everyone else. They are competing the same as if they weren't a "Recruited Athlete". There's a small number that the coach/academy think are really standout, and if they can't get into the academy as a direct entry because of academics or such, they may assist them in getting into the prep school. If one of these small numbers don't get a nomination, the team/academy may see if they can get them a superintendent nomination. But this is not the majority.
And with all academy athletes, the #1 priority is that you'll be able to make it militarily and academically, and be able to graduate the academy and become a military officer. This is one area many critics overlook. The academy is not recruiting athletes that they don't think can make it through the academy and graduate. That's a waste of their time, money, and resources. And for what it's worth, I've seen a lot of "Recruited Athletes" who didn't get a nomination and didn't get in. I've seen many who received a nomination but still didn't get into the academy or prep school. The first question the coaches and the academy ask about any athlete is; can they make it through and graduate? Unlike a traditional school, you can't major in basket weaving. Even the most liberal art major, is still required to take engineering classes, advanced math and science classes, etc. If the academy doesn't think you'll make it through and graduate and become a commissioned officer, you're not getting in.
So basically, you have to look at "Recruited Athletes" at the academy in 2 groups. The one group, "The minority", are some very high end athletes that also meet the standards for getting into the academy directly or via the prep school. The coaches may provide some assistance; just like I and others provide assistance on this forum. They answer questions for you, point you in the right direction, SOME of these few MIGHT get an LOA, etc. The 2nd group, "The MAJORITY", are "RECRUITED ATHLETES" only in NAME. Just like words like "BLUE CHIP". Most of that's just in name only. It helps the applicant identify with what OTHER SCHOOLS are calling it so the academy can compete for you applying and accepting the academy. But it's in name only. This majority group all apply, compete, etc. for nominations, appointments, etc. just like everyone else does. So does the first group, but if the athlete is really high on the athlete list, the team could see about getting a superintendent nominee if they don't get a traditional MOC nomination.
On a side note. On average, the 50-60 "Recruited Athletes" in football, is only that high, because there is no binding contract and the applicant can change their mind, quit, not show up, etc. and go to another school. Plus, the team will cut about 1/3 of them after the first season and spring practice. By the fourth year at the academy, there's usually only about 18-22 seniors on the team. Sometimes less. In the civilian university, if they recruit and scholarship 20 players, those 20 are on the team for all 5 years unless they fail out of their basket weaving course or break rules/laws/etc. This is why the academy is very concerned that any applicant that has the WORD ATHLETE associated with them at all, is going to be able to make it through 4 years of military and academic training. Because in the end, they are going to be commissioned officers and leaders. They don't want to waste $400,000 +/- on someone that won't make it.