For both students and student-athletes, major colleges and universities may have all the bells and whistles, but small colleges normally have no shortage of things to sell. There is the student-to-faculty ratio that's always favorable, a more intimate high school feel to campus, and the list goes on and on (possibly including girl-to-guy ratio as well) depending on what an individual's taste.
However, one thing that all college bound families take a look at is the tuition and their financial aid package, because at the end of the day there's almost always a debt to be paid back.
Many times small college coaches are recruiting a kid that has it down to two choices; either attend a small school and play football, or go to the local public university. Every coach wants players to do what is best for them and their family, but I saw a tweet recently that may help small college coaches put an extra recruiting tool in their recruiting "tool box'
Those are some pretty impressive numbers in the favor of private colleges, and at the end of the day, having to spend an extra year or two of time and tuition money may balance the pro / con scales out in your favor. That could mean ending up with a kid who's great for your campus AND football program.