ND would have selection bias toward players making a 40 year decision, kids with a lot of options outside football like ND and vice-versa.

Also, the ND culture may also place football at a lower relative priority.

However, Stanford would in theory would be even more subject to the above, but Harbaugh changed that and Shaw has continued it.

Somehow, they get a bunch of guys named Cody, Zach, Evan, Graham, Colby, etc to play with their hair on fire and beat ND's ass.

Recruiting ratings are more an evaluation of potential at the college level than absolute predictors. ND has enabled a culture that allows players to get by even if they lack the drive to maximize their football abilities. How many kids will work hard if they don’t care about the NFL or fear losing their scholarship? The answer at ND has been “too many”. In their defense, part of this may be due to the fact that a greater percentage of ND kids place a higher priority on getting a degree. Recruiting services don’t factor in these intangibles, and they should not try to do so. That’s up to the coaches who recruit them and take the time to get to know them.

Edit: let me add that my subject line regarding institutional leadership is meant to say that it matters in terms of a successful football program. There is a reason that the Jets and Browns are consistently bad while the Patriots and Steelers are good.