That's because the NFL is trying it's very best to outlaw defense, and turn into the NBA. The passing game is what the NFL is all about for the last decade if not more. And College Football follows the NFL's lead.
And there are scouts everywhere compared to 20 years ago, it's a different world, sports are multi-billion dollar empires. Every kid with size that can run is recruited from 12 years old on, so today's Muhummad Ali's and Lennox lewis's are all catching passes as tight ends, or are linebackers these days
On a side note, that's one thing i like about these replacement Refs, they let them play a hell of a lot more. A lot less bullshit ticky-tack calls.