Here's the bottom line with recruiting:
Is it harder to recruit at GT? Yes.
Are the limited (i.e. HARDER) degree choices compared to other schools a factor? Yes.
Are our math and science requirements a factor? Yes.
Anyone that argues those points and argues our pool of recruits isn't smaller than for the majority of FBS schools is kidding themselves and shouldn't even try to debate this issue.
HOWEVER, that being acknowledged, it's time to also acknowledge that GT should be doing better than we have in recruiting. I'm not talking about top 10, or even top 20 (althought it's not unreasonable to think GT should have a top 20 class once every 5 years or so). There are PLENTY of high level recruits that have the academic credentials and aptitude and are willing to take Calculus. We are recruiting 15-20 "smart" kids a year. We are not starting over and recruiting 85 kids a year.
As I pointed out earlier, there's really not much difference between recruiting in the 50's and recruiting in the 30's. The difference teams who recruit in the 30's sign 2-3 more 4 stars per year, and the back end of their signings are rated a little higher. That really shouldn't be difficult. It's definitely not as difficult as some on here want to believe.