correlation. 5* recruits are a fraction of one % of total college football players. The fact that nearly half of 5*'s end up drafted is an amazingly strong correlation. Even a 20% draft rate would demonstrate an very powerful correlation.

You can also look at correlation between recruiting rankings and winning NC's. There again, you see very strong correlation with Bama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, etc.

I don't think there should be this lingering debate about the importance of recruiting given all the supporting data. It is settled science.