so ive been eyeballing a drop down who hasn't fallen yet... but he has fallen to another d3 school (in my same conf)   what's the best way to attack this to get him to consider me too? his messgaes keep telling me i'm a backup option still..

You'd have to send ST's (scouting trips), with your small budget at 1 schollie, I don't like your chances. If I were you, I'd look elsewhere at a different recruit (doesn't have to be dropdown, obviously quality is the most important).

Yes, he can still drop to you, but obviously the other school has a greater prestige than you if they're in your division and already have access to him.

That means you're not only at a potential cash disadvantage (with only the one open scholarship) but are at a prestige disadvantage as well. That's bad news.

In most cases there will be some other player who is at least similar to the one you want. I would find that player and use your recruiting money on them instead, and hopefully you'll get a quality player without even having to battle.