I'm recruiting for the first time at Bemidji State, and having a tough time-- there's very few local recruits (Minnesota seems to be a deadzone) and the signing period began yesterday.

When I search undecided DI recruits there are tons of them left, many of them ranked recruits. What are the chances, with my C prestige, that any of those guys will fall to me? I've been sending out phone calls to them like crazy and hoping for the back-up message.

Could a DII C prestige school realistically land a few DI guys who dropped down? Keep in mind recruiting ends at midnight tomorrow, so we're a few cycles into the signing period.

Any tips would be great!

At a C prestige, you might be able to do it if you stick to the high-100s (170+) or so.  You'll have a better shot at higher ranked recruits with better prestige, but it's always worth a phone call at least.

If one of them returns your call and give you the backup message, be prepared to send 1.5 to 3 times as many scouting trips to be considered.   In the last 3 seasons in my region on Smith, I've actually found that there were better players unranked than ranked, strictly going on potentials.

In any event, if you go after ranked D1 players, brace yourself to be sniped by lower D1 programs that are scrambling to fill their benches.  If you're lucky, you can pull it off.

Unless they are very close to you I would say the greatest skill needed is patience. Someone effective always falls through, may not always be a superstar but definitely formidable. I don't know how much money you have left but I always try to make sure I can afford 2 or 3 CV for an available drop down. Like Ethan says if you get the backup option you should be ok as long as there isn't another team on him.

you have a chance...  the closer they are, the better....if there is one within 70 or so miles you have a better chance.

And, you have a better chance if they are JUCO or transfers.

Before the last big system rules change, my D2 team signed a #130-ranked guy who was only 20 miles from campus.  I had a C+ or B prestige at the time, I don't remember. 

The funny/odd thing about this was that I signed a generic 470-rated D2 player that same year and redshirted him.  He had loads of hi potentials and ended up being an All America and a far better player than the #130 ranked guy.

Since the rules change, players ranked higher than about 150 won't even return my calls even with my A prestige.