Sooners ink 23 prospects

The Sooners football team signed 23 players to their 2009 recruiting class.

Wednesday was National Signing Day in college football. According to Rivals.com, half of the players signed are 4-star recruits. Defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland, linebacker Ronnell Lewis and WR Cameron Kenney headline Oklahoma's class of 2009.

The class includes 11 three-star recruits and one 2-star. The Sooners failed to sign a 5-star recruit.

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops discussed the recruiting class at a press conference on Wednesday.

"The caliber of these players will allow us to continue to compete at a high level," Stoops said. "We like their skill, their football intelligence and their character. All classes are better judged two or three years down the road, but this one certainly gives every appearance of being one that gives us a very solid group of players and individuals."

C.J. Gardner, freshman, is happy with the recruiting class.

"I don't really mind that they didn't sign a 5-star guy," Gardner said. "The Sooners have key players returning and Coach Stoops made sure that he addressed positions that needed to be filled."

Spring practice is scheduled to begin March 3. For more information about Oklahoma football, visit http://soonersports.com/.