Frankly, in that scenario I wouldnt be surprised if they would not allow the lower ranked kid to commit until the higher ranked kid has made his decision again.
Recruiting is fairly fluid.
Either that or some kids are takes no matter what the numbers are at their position group. They would take the 3 star and then if the 4 star wanted to get back on board later on down the road they would make it work somehow.
I don't think that is entirely correct. I am pretty sure Iowa uses the philosophy that one kids isn't going to make or break a class. A lot of schools follow the same strategy. Others don't.
Let's say a school has 10 offers out to players for 4 LBs spots. Once those 4 LB's spots are "taken" they focus on other positions. Sure they might take a 5th LB if things fall right, etc. but it allows them to move on.
Then there is ISU and others that says lets get our foot in the door with an early offer to a lot of guys as if we wait we will lose or shot so they have 25 offers out to players for 4 LB spots. Knowing full well that they have little to no shot on a lot of those offers but again it at least gives them a chance to generate interest on both sides and sometimes you get a kid nobody would have thought you had a chance getting.
Neither is "the right" or "wrong" way to recruit. All schools do it a little differently and both methods can and will work some fans just like to make fun of other teams that recruit a different way.
As the saying goes there are more then one way to skin a cat.