No priming after vacuuming

We opened our in-ground pool last weekend. We took the cover off, filled it up to the line with water, and put degreaser in, changed out the sand (21" cooper ranger". When we went to turn the pump (jacuzzi magnum force) on, it wouldn't prime. Eventually found out we had a crack in the bottom. So we bought a good condition used 2 year old starite 1hp 2 speed pump from a guy who was closing his pool. Hooked it up, got rid of the leaks, primed it using a priming plug and it worked great!
I tried cleaning the bottom of the pool with the leaf net before I started vacuuming on waste, and got as much as the leaves out as I could. I vacuumed the pool on waste, until the water got below the skimmer (still learning about how to properly vacuum with the water above the skimmer so I don't lose suction. I cleaned out the pump basket which was overflowing with leaves and debris.
I filled the pool back up to the line, but now I can't get it to prime. I blew out the line going from pump to skimmer thinking it was a blockage, I took apart my pump to see if it was the diffuser and it was pristine. When I put the priming plug in, the pressure kicks it back out again. We found we had 2 small leaks in the line from skimmer to pump and repaired those. I try to recirc the filter to prime it but nothing goes to the jets. There isn't enough pressure or water coming through to backwash properly either.
I am at my wits end as this pool has been nothing but problems since we bought the house last August. Shy of paying a fortune to have someone come out, how do I fix this problem I am having, or what could be causing it?