From my experience it makes no difference. After going 5-6 with UConn in my first year (I was hit bad by injuries, I don't suck
), and getting put on 2 years probation for some stupid crap, I still landed the #1 and #2 defensive ends in the nation using the mininum recruiting points allowed each week on them. Also a 78 ovr "athlete" who has 87 for THP and 85 for THA and 85 for speed, he's insanley good, but he's from CT so that helped get him.
One DE was from New Hampshire and the other from New Jerz, so maybe location had a big part in them signing with me, who knows.