I'm sorry but its unfathomable to me how someone can't academically qualify. To me, that spells pure laziness. Especially coming from a JUCO, really? I get it, some people are naturally smarter than others. But come on, its not that difficult if you actually put forth some effort.
There's a bit more to it than just effort. You have to look at what courses transfer, which varies WILDLY by university. Though usually there is an agreement among the local schools to help with that, assuming that they attend a close JUCO. Then you have to worry about the 40/60/80 rule that says you have to have 40% of a degree completed after your second year of eligibility (60% third year, 80% fourth year). Depending on the major they choose, if they take too many Gen ED courses then they won't get credit for all of them making them ineligible. If they take too many credits towards a specific major and the school does not have that major or structures it differently then they are also S.O.L. The same problems exist if any athletes want to change their major at any point in their academic career.
Or, you know, maybe they are just lazy.