Yeah, if you're at D prestige, getting in right away isn't as important, but when you want to start bringing in the 3 and 4-star recruits, then you need to get in earlier.

Sure, pulldowns are possible in D1, but you're going to be in a world of hurt if you rely on them the way you do in D2. That's why I like D1 recruiting better, because I don't need to mess with pulldowns.

Why first cycle?

Everyone kind of wants to avoid battles. Imagine a world with 3 teams....one A, one B and one C prestige team, and 3 PG recruits, a 4,3,2 star PG in the same state.

Say the B team forgets about the first cycle:

A goes for 4-star

C goes for 2-star

No one goes for the 3-star

EVERYONE in the area that was waiting to see what will happen (for various reasons) is going to be drawn to that 3-star PG like moths to the flame, so the B team will get into more battles than if they just put a few grand on him first cycle. The A and C teams will get into fewer battles because who want to battle the A if there is a reasonable alternative, and no one will battle the C team if there is a better player that requires no battling.