Recruiting rankings are not infallible. Scouting is not an exact science, otherwise every 1st round NFL draft would pan out and be All Pros. Kids dont live up to their expectations, attrition happens (medical, academic, etc.), but your research does show that the higher ranked kids have a higher chance of succeeding than lower ranked kids.

This type of discussion happens every year around signing day, and it always sounds like sour grapes. Recruiting is important, its the lifeblood of your program. I'd challenge you to find a recent national champion who didnt have a high ranked class. We've struggled recruiting the last few years and look what its shown on the field. I agree that recruiting rankings arent everything, but they do matter.