Top Tier is accurate. Newer schools that don’t have name recognition are not going to do you any favors when recruiting, particularly if you are recruiting out of state. The shear number of resumes being reviewed is going to be high. Schools that are fairly new to the game like USF aren’t going to get the attention that a Florida is going to get. And Florida isn’t going to get the attention that a private school like Northeastern is going to get. An Northeastern isn’t going to get the attention that a top private school like Northwestern is going to get. There is a hierarchy in name recognition and reputation that is giong to be important when it comes to hiring candidates.
If you’re recruiting in a particular region, remember that regional biases are going to be a factor. An Ohio State grad isn’t going to be looked at the same way in New York city as it will in Cleveland. Keep that in mind.