Serious question: what is to stop kids from taking the bags, then going elsewhere? Do they get half up front and half after they sign, something like that?
It's a dirty game to begin with, so I don't think "reputation" would factor into it.
Bags never stop coming, not as much an initial down payment, but the bag program works on ROI, player keeps producing money follows. But if the player doesn't produce, bag dries up. Player can't turn himself in, so mouth stays shut.
Player could take bag(s) up front and then bail, but these guys are professionals and would leak info to media costing player eligibility.
It's never the school. Never has anything to do with a coach.
It's multiple 'individuals.' The individual pretty much is responsible or takes on the task of keeping 'his' one recruit happy. He'll keep him in walking around money, an additional 'bump' here and there, and a pile on occasion. He'll coordinate apartments, cars, etc. with other boosters (individuals), and there's a network outside the University.
So when Alabama, for example, goes out at the end of the season, and suddenly starts flipping top players - the work had all been done in the months and weeks before the young men get their 'official' visit.