Yes they should. College athletes though have fun with performing these sports also do it for the entertainment of the students. They also go out and represent the school in various inter college competitions bringing fame and recognition to the school. Some even end up on national level teams and squads bringing the college into a good light. Just as any other sport which is played for entertainment I believe college athletes should be paid too

You cannot generalize. Not all college athletes get scholarships and even if they do the scholarships would barely cover their accommodation and day to day expenses. Take this as an analogy. You went to your grandparents house on the farm to learn how to do farm work and you picked up an interest in pottery there. You work day and night to perfect that pottery and begin to showcase your work on the farm attracting more and more customers. Would it be right for your grandparents to say they would not pay you or compensate you in the slightest. So long as the athletes bring recognition and money into the school then they should be paid

The athletes could decide to stop participating in athletics and as you said focus on school but if that happens there will be no recognition. There will be no fame and there is a high chance that the students would lose their motive to study if there is nothing else to keep their brains active. If college athletes are paid it encourages them to try harder. It motivates them and pushes them to give their all drawing the attention of many students, sponsors and international teams, clubs or squads.