Jay Norvell racked up the frequent flyer miles in the final days of the recruiting cycle.

Oklahoma’s co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach, Norvell spent time in Oklahoma City, Okla., Springfield, Mo., Inglewood, Calif., Tampa, Reno, Nev. and Rocklin, Calif. in a five-day span.

It comes with the territory when recruiting nationally, which OU did well with its 2012 recruiting class, which featured signees from 11 different states.

And as excited as head coach Bob Stoops was about his program’s haul of 25 signees, OU’s head coach is just as excited about the potential of this year’s class to impact future recruiting classes.

“I love to recruit the whole country and we’ll have so many more opportunities moving forward,” Stoops said. “Players recruit players, so as we go back into those areas next year, and the years after, players are going to recognize, ‘Hey so-and-so has gone there, he’s done well, it could be a great opportunity for me.'”

This could be the class that has a long-lasting impact on the program. And it has nothing to do the plays the signees will eventually make on Saturday.

Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood) is the perfect example of the potential impact of national recruits from both coasts. Norvell worked hard to secure Woods, despite a late push from USC, an elite program right up the road from his home. As much as he loves Woods' talent and personality, Norvell loves the long-term impact as well.

“It was a great get,” Norvell said. “Because everybody in LA will know that kid and we will be able to go back and recruit there. He’s a great kid and great player and it will be great for us in LA to have a Sooner that’s playing on Saturday and making plays because those highlights will come on every week in that city.

“And that city has a lot of athletes, it will be good for us.”

In other words, OU laid a foundation this February. And it could pay off for years to come.