Back on topic, this is so hard to answer in a vacuum. Are you in a position where you can blow some cash and APs and still get guys who will get you better? Are you willing to take 2 - 3 walk-ons if you don't get this guy and using a bunch of effort costs you other guys as well? Is it worth getting him if he is truly a 5* player who may leave in 2 seasons? Honestly, when I started my recent rebuild at Georgia Tech my goal the first two seasons was to recruit guys who would beat good sim teams on the road and then schedule 10 of them in the non-conference to start to get my prestige up. I think my first two seasons I recruited 9 guys (maybe) and I think two of them had a star. Very much in general, I would probably try to secure (the best you can) guys that will get your prestige up, offer schollies and minutes and starts if you think you need to. Then, if you feel comfortable that your not going to get jumped on those players, or if you are willing to lose them if you do, take your shot at a "stud", but look around (as Benis said) and see what stud you think you can get, and keep in mind a D+ team's stud may look very different than a A+ team's stud.