This is the difference between 3 star and 5 star recruits. We won’t compete with these guys until we start landing in the top 10 for recruiting (which will likely never happen). Statistics show the last 10 or so national champions had 4 previous years of top 10 (maybe even top 5) recruiting classes. We keep hoping VT will get more out of 3 star players than any other school...unfortunately we need to start being real with ourselves and it starts at the top. Here is the trickle down effect that Clemson had back when Dabo was hired which took them from where we are now to where they are now:

Dabo took over as head coach and said everything needed to be modernized...starting with the mindset of the school’s administration.
1. Administration buy in for football program to be the primary focus at the school
2. Athletic Department increased investment by canceling other sports programs and moving more funding to football
3. Increased athletic budget from expanded donation and alumni support. Enhanced IPTAY.
4. Upgraded facilities
5. Modern coaches
6. Extra dollars and resources for recruiting
7. Establish a culture
8. Win
9. Increased endowment, brand awareness, publicity, student applicants, tuition, attendance, average gpa, academics...ultimately increased revenue for the school as a whole.

Talk to Alabama — They did the same thing well before Clemson. Apparently Alabama has its highest numbers in applicants, attendees, and endowment ever since Saban’s first national championship there. Being in the CFB Natty is good exposure for the school which leads to so many peripheral benefits. It starts with the administration realizing that and making heavy investments into the football program.