Oklahoma Football Recruiting: 5 Things Missing from Sooners' 2012 Class

National Signing Day is only two weeks away, and the Oklahoma Sooners are once again putting together a top recruiting class. Most ranking services have them in the top 10, and with a few high-profile recruits still strongly considering the Sooners, things could get better still.

A good recruiting class is not all about talent, however. One important function of an incoming crop is to provide depth at a position that is thin. With OU's injury woes over the last few seasons, you can't be overstocked at any spot.

Another important role of the freshman class is to provide competition. If you know you are in line to start next year, then there is a chance you might not work as hard. However, if you come to practice and there is a freshman gunning for your spot, catching the eye of the coaches, there is no doubt you are going to go all out.

So far, the Sooners have done a pretty good job filling needs with the 2012 class, but there are still a few positions that need to be shored up by adding a few more players.

Running Back

We will start with the most obvious need for the Sooners: running back. After losing three backs to transfer during the season, Oklahoma's cupboard was left painfully bare, with only five on the roster going into next season.

Dom Whaley, Roy Finch and fullback Trey Millard will be a formidable trio, but an injury or loss in form would quickly hinder the offense. Brennan Clay, the only other back with a career carry on the roster, has yet to impress.

Alex Ross (No. 4 RB according to ESPN) is a great pickup, but the Sooners need to bring in at least one more running back for competition's sake. Fortunately, the coaching staff has been extremely active here and will likely bring in one or two more.

Tight End

After two graduating seniors and a puzzling transfer, the Sooners are left with only one player, currently injured freshman John-Philip Hughes, at tight end.

Yikes!

Luckily, the recruiting staff has been hard at work bringing in new players. Having such a vacancy at a position catches the attention of recruits wanting early playing time, making their job a little easier.

So far, three tight ends have announced they will be in Norman next year. Laith Harlow and JUCO transfer Brannon Green are big blockers, while Taylor McNamara brings extra pass-catching ability.

This is a good haul so far, but I would like to see one more signee for the sake of depth and competition. Another JUCO guy would be ideal, spreading the depth out better amongst graduating classes. Two juniors and three freshmen is a good-looking setup at tight end for next few years.

Defensive Line

One way to address needs in a recruiting class is to look at your graduating class for the upcoming season. An ideal situation is to bring in a recruit for every player that you plan on losing a the end of next season.

After losing two studs this year, OU will graduate a whopping six defensive linemen after the 2012 season, leaving only nine on the roster. That sort of attrition is much higher than usual and could be a problem if not addressed. Unless your name is Tommy Harris, linemen generally take at least two years to develop into productive members of the squad.

Right now, the Sooners only have two defensive linemen (both DE's) signed, neither of which are highly rated. They have four other offers extended, but are only being seriously considered by two of them.

Next year, the Sooners will be just fine, but without a few more recruits, we could see a serious drop off in 2012 and 2013. 

Defensive Back

Just like the defensive line, the defensive backfield (cornerback, nickleback and safety) will graduate six players after next season. That doesn't include Aaron Colvin and Tony Jefferson, two juniors who have the potential to leave a year early for the NFL. 

With recruiting, it is best to prepare for the worst. So assuming those two leave early, there will be only eight defensive backs on the roster going into the 2013 season. Considering the recent woes in pass defense, this could be a big problem.

They were off to a good start with four signees, but the top-rated player of the group recently decommitted, leaving the unit thin in both quantity and quality. They are on the short list for 4-star CB Brandon Beaver, but other than that, there are no other offers currently extended.

In order to avoid a huge drop off in the coming years, the Sooners need to pack them in quickly. Finally getting the coaching situation figured out (Willie Martinez out, Mike Stoops in) will help, so watch for increased activity at the position over the next few weeks.

Punter

The Sooner kicking game will take a big hit when punter Tress Way graduates next season. He has been an asset to the team his entire career and will likely finish as a favorite for an All-Big 12 nod.

Behind Tress, there is only one other punter, freshman Dylan Seibert. You don't need a ton of punters taking up scholarships on the roster, but it would nice to bring in one more to provide some competition for the 2013 job.

Another option might be moving one of the four place kickers on roster for next season over to punter, saving a scholarship for a player needed at another position.