....and a ****** job of recruiting done by our coaches on this one.
Assume Texas Tech and Mississippi State win the same number of games/year, have the same quality of facilities, and have the same amount of fan support and exposure opportunities. If you are on offensive player living equidistant from the two, and you have no ties either way, then yes, you would choose TT based on the ability to play in an exciting offense. If you are a defensive player, you would choose Mississippi State, because we traditionally are better defensively.
Now assume Texas Tech wins on average 3 less games/year than State, and only goes to half as many bowls as State. They still have an exciting offense, but they are not near as successful overall. No player in their right mind would choose TT over State, regardless of the opportunity to sling it. Players want to win and go to bowl games.
My point, which I fully expect to go right over your head: State could be running whatever offense you want them to run, but if they are not nearly as successful as the program down the road that offers, it doesn't mean **** to MOST players. And the Spread offense does not equal overall success. See Memphis. Hell, see Texas Tech. I am sure that over the course of Mike Leach's tenure there have been plenty of offensive players that grew up close to Lubbock that went to Texas when offered.
However, don't mistake what I'm saying. ****** job of recruiting by the MSU coaching staff. Terrible job. If you can't get Garrett, what great player can you get?