Athletes who enter professional leagues directly from high school ofte

Athletes who enter professional leagues directly from high school often have a difficult adjustment period, and there is no doubt that professional leagues are often more disappointed by the performance of this type of athlete rather than by athletes who attend college before entering the professional leagues.

A. the performance of this type of athlete rather than by athletes who attend college before entering the professional leagues
Here we are comparing two elements; we are saying that professional leagues are disappointed by performance and by athletes. However we should either make the comparison between athletes or their performances. Also, rather than indicates a preference, "than" would be more appropriate here

B. the performance of these athletes rather than athletes who attend college before entering the professional leagues
Same issues as in A

C. the performance of such athletes than by that of athletes who attend college before entering the professional leagues
Correct

D. such athletes' performance than by athletes who attend college before entering the professional leagues
We are comparing performance to athletes

E. such performance of this type than by that of athletes who attend college before entering the professional leagues
Here there is a subtle issue; We are saying "such performance" such here plays the role of determiner and indicates an example. But to do so, we need to describe performance priorly in the sentence to be able to properly infer what "such performance" is referring to.