The thing that gets you is the size.

Oklahoma's 2011 recruiting class is small.

Because the Sooners had so few seniors last season and other classes had not suffered much attrition, OU signed only 17 prospects on National Signing Day. Still, the experts tended to like the Sooners' class.

National Football Post had OU No. 14, Rivals had OU No. 13, ESPN had OU No. 11. Most agree on the quality of the class and take issue with the quantity, of which the Sooners could do little about.

There is no telling how much difference any one recruiting class can make or how quickly it can make it. But last season was testament to how much difference a class can make in a hurry. Running back Roy Finch, fullback Trey Millard, wide receiver Trey Franks, cornerback Aaron Colvin and nickel back Tony Jefferson all played important roles.

The Sooners filled their needs in that they added depth all around.

"We feel it is obvious by the way people have respected our class with all the different rankings, to know that there are only 17 players and it's still regarded as one of the better ones in the country," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "I think again it speaks of the quality of players. I feel we've met all our needs with big guys on O-line, D-line, speed positions, receivers, a defensive back, running backs. You know all those guys and then you got the linebackers and tight ends, those guys in the middle. They're all our style of players."

Twelve of the 17 are from Texas, two are from Oklahoma, two are from the Kansas City area, one is from Sioux Falls, S.D.

Three are already enrolled: quarterback Kendal Thompson, the son of ex-Sooner Charles Thompson, from Southmoore High School in Moore, Okla.; defensive tackle Marquis Anderson from Cibolo, Texas; and running back Brandon Williams from Brooksire, Texas.

The Sooners believe they have the guys they need to keep rolling.

"We like the depth and versatility of this class," Stoops said. "It's a talented, athletic group that will contribute in a lot of different positions."

TOP OF THE CLASS

OT Jordan Phillips (6-6, 290 pounds, Circle HS, Towanda, Kan.) -- A five-star recruit by Scout.com and the No. 4 OT prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, he already has the size required to step in immediately and the athleticism to do many different things. Who knows if the Sooners will find more uses for him, but he ran the ball and caught the ball in high school while also handling punting chores.

RB Brandon Williams (6-0, 190 pounds, Royal HS, Brookshire, Texas) -- A five-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com, both of which rated him the No. 3 RB prospect in the nation after he ran for 2,438 yards and 33 touchdowns his senior year of high school. If he's as good as advertised, it's easy to see him sharing most of OU's running duties with Roy Finch for the next three seasons.

WR Trey Metoyer (6-2, 185 pounds, Whitehouse HS, Whitehouse, Texas) -- A five-star recruit by Rivals.com, which rated him the No. 2 receiving prospect in the nation, and Scout.com, which rated him the No. 1 WR prospect in the nation. Caught 108 passes for 1,540 yards and 23 TDs last season. The star system often proves unreliable, but for historical purposes, Metoyer is the Sooners' very first five-star receiver.

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