We absolutely can be better in recruiting, or at least on par (if not there already). However, it's crazy to me why anyone would just think we should be.
Iowa is perennially better, year in and year out. Not only do they spend more time being ranked, but they do it over and over again, playing in much better bowl games as well. They don't have a quirky coach that may rub some recruits the wrong way. They produce NFL talent in a regular basis. Iowa City is a smaller community, but Iowa football has a large footprint and a rabid fanbase. Their home atmosphere is just better in my opinion, even if their offense can't score any points for the duration of an entire season.
I dont buy in, and not sure why so many people do, that the Twin Cities is better for recruiting with their Fortune 500 companies and/or just being a larger city. Not all recruits want that. In fact I'd think some recruits would rather focus on their results on the football field and the fans in/out of the stands. Walk around Iowa City or Cedar Rapids on game day, its "Go Hawks! everywhere you go. In the stands, it's "Go Hawks" instead of excuse me if someone is getting up.
I travel a lot, and I ALWAYS see Hawkeye gear (and Packers) on people. It's rare I see Gopher stuff, their fan base is just more passionate. Their football team has had better results, and its been more constant. Now factor in NIL, might just make it even more appealing, but also gives a school like Minnesota an opportunity - it gives any school an opportunity if they have the money.
So why 'should' we simply recruit better?