The suspense leading up to national signing day came to an official close Wednesday as 27 prospects inked their names on letters of intent to play football at OU.

The new Sooners make this year's recruiting class one of the largest and most diverse in head coach Bob Stoops' tenure, with prospects from 13 different states.

"We are excited with the number of guys on this list and where they are at physically and what we've evaluated we feel that they can really support what's already here right away," Stoops said.

OU's 2005 class finishes as the third-ranked class in the nation, according to Rivals.com, and features eight members of the prestigious "Rivals 100," in which the nation's top 100 high school players are ranked, regardless of position.

"Overall, couldn't be more pleased with the signing class we have here," Stoops said. "Their potential, their future-we feel that they are a group that we can continue to pursue Big 12 and national championships with."

As the day began, OU received two much-anticipated commitments-one from Edmond Santa Fe defensive back Reggie Smith, listed on Rivals 100, and one from Georgia offensive lineman George "Duke" Robinson.

Earlier Wednesday, Georgian linebacker Antonio Clay decided to sign with the Clemson Tigers, backing out on his verbal pledge to OU. OU coaches quickly acted on this vacancy and awarded the scholarship to athlete Aaron Cummings of Bray, who plays eight-man football for Bray-Doyle High School.

Just before Stoops addressed the media, news of another commitment came when safety Nic Harris of Louisiana completed the class of 27.

Except for those unexpected events, the day went according to plan, as all 23 prospects who had previously verbally committed remained true to OU.

OU filled a major need on the offensive line, signing the nation's fourth-ranked offensive line class, according to Rivals.com, featuring Ben Barresi, Jon Cooper, Jesse White and re-signing Brandon Braxton and Brandon Keith after signing both in previous classes.

OU also got "offensive" with the top-ranked wide receiver class in the nation, according to Rivals.com. OU signed three Texas athletes in Longview's Malcolm Kelly, Gilmer's Manuel Johnson and Killeen's Juaquin Iglesias. Eric Huggins, of Conway, South Carolina, another Rivals 100 member, also signed with the Sooners.

The final piece of the offensive puzzle came in the form of Phoenix, Ariz., halfback/fullback Matt Clapp.

Staying true to form, OU also hauled in a few defensive players to fill in some gaps left by departed seniors, highlighted by the nation's top defensive tackle, Dallas' DeMarcus Granger.

OU also signed three highly sought-after linebacker prospects.

OU ended up with the fourth-ranked linebacker crop, according to Rivals.com. The class features Ryan Reynolds, of Las Vegas, an Army All Star All-American, Curtis Lofton, a Parade All-American from Kingfisher, and Lamont Robinson, of Salem, N.J., who was previously committed to Virginia.

After the Sooners lost both starting safeties to the NFL draft, help appears to be on the way.

OU signed three safeties Wednesday, including junior college transfer Allan Patrick from Independence, Kan., and two more Rivals 100 members in Keenan Clayton from Sulphur Springs, Texas, and Harris. Smith also projects as a possible safety or cornerback at the collegiate level.

Brian Jackson of De Soto, Texas, also signed with OU as the Sooners' lone cornerback prospect.

OU also looked to patch up some holes on the defensive line, signing four defensive ends, including junior college transfer C.J. Ah You, who is currently on campus. The other three ends are Cordero Moore, Auston English and Brody Eldridge.

Along with Granger, the Sooners signed junior college transfer Brian Simmons and Claremore's Billy Blackard at defensive tackle.
hello there & you too