I think it is a great idea.  In fact, I think anything that gets away from "you can only win a battle if he is within 180 miles" is a great idea.  Only a percentage of recruits care about distance ... but it HD, it is the main factor.

I think some pipeline effects would help mid majors against BCS - like pipelines to particular countries - say Latvia etc etc - or specific high schools and to states....but it should be much harder to get a pipeline relationship to a big state (like impossible with say Texas) while easier with a small state - like wow, those vermont kids sure do like to go to George Mason or whatever,,,,,