The game is increasingly regional, ie. Southern. Ohio State is the sole geographically "Northern" institution (although it does have a significant % of rednecks) and USC has seriously jumped the recruiting shark the last couple years. The only thing that will change this is allowing corporate endorsement contracts on signing day.
Link: https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-recruiting-schools-with-best-class-rankings-on-average-over-the-past-five-years/