don't read too much into the whole PA,NJ,OH thing.
1- the population has nothing to do with the depth, or recruiting the in-state college programs do. why come to kansas, OR anywhere else, AND spend an out of state scholarship when you can find someone IN-STATE.
2- the top programs in those states are academies, some of their top dogs aren't even from in-state.
3- population has alot to do with media coverage, which has alot to do with hype.