As Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops answered questions about the 28 recruits he signed Wednesday, he sounded nothing like a coach who was coming off his first five-loss season in a decade.

The reason was because of the 28 players he'd just signed. All of them were playing high school football this past fall. For the first time in several years, the junior college ranks were ignored.

"We didn't have a whole bunch because we like the guys and we liked the maturity that we gained by the end of the year," Stoops said.

The class of 2010 was all about the future. The Sooners signed a balanced, highly touted class that features six defensive linemen, five offensive linemen, five defensive backs, two running backs, two tight ends and only one quarterback -- Blake Bell of Wichita, Kan.

But after going 8-5 this past season, many figured the Sooners would spend the recruiting season looking for quick fixes after last season's injury-plagued season.

Injuries on the offensive line, where three starters suffered season ending injuries, seemed to be a place where immediate holes had to be plugged.

Stoops disagreed.

"I didn't feel that we were in a dire situation that we had to get someone like that, so that's why we only went after a few guys," he said.

Instead OU looked heavily to the future.

They added five offensive linemen: Mustang's Bronson Irwin, Adam Shead (Cedar Hill, Texas), Tyrus Thompson (Pflugerville, Texas), Daryl Williams (Lake Dallas, Texas) and Austin Woods (Rockwall, Texas).

Irwin and Woods already are attending classes at OU and will be able to go through spring practice.

"They've all got big, strong frames, they all seem to run well and move well also. You've got to get here and earn it all, though," Stoops said. "Looking at these guys, I'm really excited about 'em. They're all a good group of big, strong looking linemen."

At the tight end position could be where this class brings the most immediate offensive help. Southmoore's Austin Heywood and Trey Millard from Columbia, Mo., are both four-star prospects.

Stoops didn't shy away from comparing Heywood to former OU All-American tight end Keith Jackson and sees Millard in the same vein as departed senior Brody Eldridge and Matt Clapp.

The four receivers OU added include Justin McCay, who was the No. 1 player in Kansas. He joined Trey Franks (Orange, Texas), Sheldon McClain (Cibolo, Texas) and Joseph Powell in the receivers group.

The Sooners are still waiting on the NCAA to clear the way for Kenny Stills (Carlsbad, Calif.) to enroll.

"That's pending that we're still working with. I can't name him by name, but we're still working through the (NCAA) clearinghouse in regard to his eligibility here, and just hoping that that gets resolved as soon as possible," Stoops said.

Two running backs joined the group and OU went to separate coasts to get them. They landed Brennan Clay from San Diego and Roy Finch from Niceville, Fla.

As usual, the Sooners were able to sign a highly touted quarterback. Blake Bell (Wichita, Kan.) threw for 2,752 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.

On the defensive side, OU went heavy on the front seven with six defensive linemen and three linebackers.

The linebacker spot brought the only real signing day surprise with Dallas Skyline linebacker Corey Nelson, who had been committed to Texas A--M for months, jumping to OU on signing. He joined a group that also included Aaron Franklin (Marshall, Texas) and Rashod Favors (Fort Worth, Texas).

"The emphasis was to bring in guys who could play in space. We were a little thin in that regard," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "They really fit a need that way."

The defensive linemen were: Geneo Grissom (Hutchinson, Kan.); two from Dallas: Eric Humphrey and Chuka Ndulue; Daniel Noble (Flower Mound, Texas), Torrea Peterson (San Antonio) and Damon Williams (Irving, Texas).

"Those guys up front have size and quickness. We're excited about them," Stoops said.

The Sooners went relatively light on defensive backs with only four -- Aaron Colvin (Owasso), Quentin Hayes (Lancaster, Texas), James Haynes (Orange, Texas) and Tony Jefferson (Chula Vista, Calif.) joining the class.

After the fax machines quit rolling, the national recruiting analysts were impressed with the fresh crop of Sooners.

Scout.com gave the Sooners the highest ranking at No. 2. Rivals.com slotted OU at No. 7. ESPN.com placed OU at No. 5.

Stoops, as usual, didn't put much weight on what the analysts saw. But he thought needs were addressed on both sides of the ball.

"I felt first, we met every one of our needs by position the way we needed to with the number of guys, the number of signees at each of those positions, and addressed some (needs), just with graduation and guys departing through the year. I felt we really got great talent at all those positions," Stoops said.

John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com