ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio signed 24 players as part of the 2011 football signing day class, the largest number in several years.

“The kids that we targeted are the kids that we got, and that’s what we feel good about in this recruiting class,” Ohio recruiting coordinator Brian Haines said.

Ohio coach Frank Solich said he was quite pleased with the recruiting class.

“I think this could be one of the better, if not one of the best classes – I believe it is on paper – that we’ve recruited so far,” he said.

Seven of them are on the defensive line, where Ohio loses five scholarship players, including all four starters. The Bobcats’ class also includes five offensive lineman, meaning players in the trenches constitute more than half of the class.

“We went after some size, some big guys,” Solich said. “It all starts up front. You’ve heard that 1,000 times, and how true it is. We wanted to make sure we had that base covered.”

Ohio picked up commitments from two quarterbacks, one running back, one wide receiver, one tight end, two linebackers, four cornerbacks and one safety.

Among the highest rated recruits for the Bobcats are offensive lineman Jacob Welter, defensive lineman Antwan Crutcher and linebacker Ben Russell.

Welter, a 6-4, 292-pound guard from Danville’s Monte Vista High School, rated a three-star recruit by Rivals and Scout. He turned down a scholarship offer to California and also drew interest from many BCS-level schools. His father Tom was a college roommate of Ohio assistant coach Keven Lightner at Nebraska.

“The big thing was the connection that Tom had with Kevin Lightner,” Solich said. “Tom and Keven, they get along well. … That seemed to fit extremely well. I think Tom felt comfortable about his soon coming here.”

Crutcher, a 6-1, 278-pound defensive tackle from Cleveland Glenville High School, was rated three stars by ESPN and Scout. He turned down offers from several MAC schools, Cincinnati and Illinois.

“A good D-lineman from a good high school like that is huge,” Haines said, giving credit to Pete Germano for doing a good job of recruiting in the Cleveland area.

Russell, a 6-1, 230-pound outside linebacker from Cincinnati Oak Hill High School, was rated three stars by ESPN and Rivals. He had offers to several MAC schools, Air Force and Minnesota.

Other players who rated at least three stars by one recruiting service include defensive lineman Andrew Bennett, offensive lineman Lucas Powell, defensive lineman Eric Price, running back Kyle Hammonds, corner back Ian Wells, defensive lineman Justin Haser and tight end Tyler Knight.

Not included in the 24-player class is punter Grant Venham, who is expected to grayshirt before receiving a scholarship in 2012. He was considered a three-star recruit by ESPN.

All but three of the recruits are high school seniors. The Bobcats got commitments to a pair of junior college players from Georgia Military College who will be eligible in fall as sophomores, as well as one from El Camino College in California. Seniors Hilton Dawson III and Boo Jackson and sophomore Octavius Leftwich both game to Ohio via El Camino.

All three JUCO players are expected to participate in spring practice, along with high school seniors Wells and wide receiver Landon Smith, who will graduate early.

“We think that’s going to be very big for us in terms of having five players from this class getting started with us,” Solich said.

Solich would not specify which players from the huge class could contribute as freshmen, but he said looking at the positions the Bobcats are losing the most to graduation would give an indication.

“If they’re able to handle the system mentally and are physically able to hold, they’ll have a chance to play,” Solich said.

Just less than half (11 players) of the class is from Ohio. Two each are from Nebraska, Pennsylvania and California while one there is one recruit from Georgia, Indiana, Washington D.C., Virginia, Illinois, Kansas and South Carolina.

“We’ve been able to attract players from our home state, which is crucial,” Solich said. “If you look at where we’re at, that’s never automatic.”

The coaching staff emphasized constant communication in trying to gain its most coveted recruits, and it seemed to work, Solich said.

“Every week we had communication in the form of letter writing, probably much more so than we’ve ever done,” he said.

In addition, Solich said the coaching staff was glad to emphasize the indoor practice facility that is going to be built thanks to a recent $1 million donation for that purpose.

“The Walter donation toward an indoor facility was something we were able to use,” Solich said. “… I’m sure that was something that was big in a lot of players’ minds.”

He also said the facility will help in developing players by allowing them to hone their skills year round.

Rivals ranked Ohio’s recruiting class as third best in the Mid-American Conference behind Toledo and Kent State. Scout has the Bobcats fifth.

Solich said the coaching staff uses scouting services as a guide, but ultimately makes its own decision about which players to recruit.

“The important thing is not to recruit with what they’re saying,” he said. “You need to see film. You need to investigate the player and you need to make your own decision.”

Spring practice begins March 28, with the spring game set for April 16.