Technology changed recruiting entirely, the attitude of the generation has changed. Hard working blue collar folks are fewer and farther between these days than any other time. Less kids are playing football (for good reason IMO) and the ones that do have so many more ways to get exposure on their own.

Gone are the days of a HS coach sending tape of his kids to only coaches he likes, the kid can easily promote himself. Social media has fundamentally changed the mindset of kids, kids in high school now don't remember a time before the internet. They were in 4th grade the last time VT played in a major bowl game.

The "diamond in the rough" player is no longer just a kid who doesn't attend camps, it's a kid who doesn't have enough tape to get exposure or the drive to be a big time college recruit. Athletic freaks get identified in middle school, there's 0 chance the next Kam Chancellor is a 2 star QB.