I don't think this is as much of a factor as you are making it out to be.  Stanford is a better academic school than ND in the overall scheme of things.  In terms of an undergraduate education for an athlete, however, the difference is minimal.  I would guess that less than 1% percent of High School students can truly appreciate the difference between a Stanford education and a Notre Dame education.  That would account for just a handful of 4 & 5 star football players, and they still have to consider other factors like location, coaching, depth chart, etc.

I know I would want my kids to go to ND over Stanford in almost every situation.

DEGorilla wrote: It baffles me that Stanford doesn't pull in strong classes each year, just based on its academic prestige. Wouldn't you want to go to Stanford? I bet there are a number of regular posters, Notre Dame fans, who would even encourage their supremely athletically gifted children to pick Stanford over Notre Dame.