Some kids, and some kid’s parents, simply do not want to be in a big city. They want to be in a college town. I’ve gone through this with my own kids and grandkids looking at colleges (not D1 athletes). Many kids prefer the college town vibe. Some who didn’t grow up in the city are intimidated by it. BUT, all that being said, there are many factors that go into a recruits decision and a transfer decision. Location is only one of many factors.
Expected playing time, fit with existing players, fit with coach, proximity to family/fiends, NIL, potential TV exposure, history of program including likelihood of N.C.A.A. appearance, etc. Kids want to play and they want to win. Saying that a coach got “outworked” because a recruit or transfer decided to go elsewhere is nonsense (unless you have direct knowledge that it is factually true).