I guess it all depends on what someone considers "elite." For me, that's delivering a top 5 class consistently and signing the most impactful players (top 100). By my standards, he is not elite. As you mentioned, he has "elite" traits (relentless, hard working, stubborn) etc., but that hasn't translated to "elite" results.
At Oregon he never produced a top 5 class. His classes finished 6th, 7th and 13th twice. At Miami, one top 5 class thus far. And that class was 10th in average player rating which I consider more important because it shows the quality of a class top to bottom. So in 7 classes, one top 5 result. Doesn't qualify as elite for me.
This is ELITE recruiting. Signed top 100 players the last 3 years.
Alabama: 31
Georgia: 30
Texas: 24
Ohio State: 21
Oregon: 17
Second Tier (not bad, just not elite)
Miami: 12