I don’t have specific experience with NESCAC football, but I can give you general background into NESCAC athletic admissions. Fair or unfair, there is a view that football falls into the “helmet sport” category for which the greatest leniency is given for less than stellar academics. There is one measurable criterion that supports such a view. While in general NESCAC sports are given 2 slots (with additional tips), football - with its larger roster needs – is given like 12 slots. This point by itself speaks to dipping down lower into the academic bands than for other NESCAC sports. This, however, is merely a broad truism – it speaks nothing to the individual experience of supported athletes or the needs of any given team.
Remember, slots are given by admissions to the team, not to any given athlete. Thus, the coach HAS to want the athlete and MUST provide support to the athlete’s application. It is not a punt to ask the coach, as the others have suggested . Coach support comes from the coach. He or she is the only one who know how badly he wants or need your kid. If the coach has “committed” his 12 slots, well the coach is the one that would know that as well.
Your son should communicate with the coach, give him video and then ask direct questions. I probably would keep the IEP close to the vest, as coaches want recruits that both will be admissible and stay with them for four years. An academic weakness could suggest the contrary.
Remember, your son will have to do the same academics as every other student at the college or university. The additional academic support offered is the same that is offered to every other student. He is going to need to seek out that support.
I would recommend a good look at test optional
Trinity, Bates and I would probably give Wesleyan a shot. Some years ago, Wesleyan was - how to say it - a perennial disappointment. In the last 5 to 10 years, its football program has become very strong. While technically not in New England, also consider Union, Dickinson, Muhlenberg, and Gettysburg.