re: If YOU were a recruit.

Depends on what kind of a recruit I was.

If I was a mid level recruit, I would probably try to go to the best academic school I could get into.

Degree from Stanford, SMU, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Navy etc is a much better value in $$ than a degree from Ms St, LSU etc. So if its a paid free ride I would be looking to get the best value.

If I was a big time recruit I would go to a big time program.