How many seasons do you need at a school before you can realistically pull down a player from a higher division? Seems like when I take over a new school it takes about 3 seasons until higher division recruits give me legit consideration.

Zero.  You can pull down players right from the start.  No matter what your prestige is, or how long your tenure is, there will always be players who are just a little above your same-division reach.  They can be pulled down.

Yeah, FT, just scout carefully, check who you like at the level above, then send a call to the coach. If it says, his player won't play for you, it's pretty clear. Sometimes, you get players as longshots you never thought you'd get. You just pull em down and enjoy!

I usually only send calls to players within 300 miles, except if I am stuck in Texas or somewhere in the desert. Normally, I prefer pulldowns 100 miles and Under.