Have you played competitively or gone through the recruitment process? My son was rated 3* after starting only two games as a junior football (was a bball player before), summer elite 7v7 club team with Hillstead and Snowden, then he had an excellent senior season where he had 8 TDs as WR, 5 INTs and pick 6 as a safety. They dropped his rating some points. Then he got a PAC 12 PWO and a full ride FCS.

Coaches told us they recruit high schools and regions, watch their own film, talk to coaches, recruit via their camps where they see kids live, and the number system comes up only as a filter and sometimes when reporting on signing day.

I think you are under-thinking it. It is waaaaay more complex than you think.