Recent success and national exposure has made recruiting easier for NIU football coach Joe Novak.

After one of its best seasons in school history, NIU signed 22 players to national letters of intent Wednesday.

“Things went a lot smoother in recruiting,” Novak said. “After the last couple of seasons, people are starting to know where and what Northern Illinois is. The national exposure has been tremendous for our program. By last October, we already had eight firm commitments. I think people are starting to realize what we’ve accomplished here the last four years.”

This year’s outgoing senior class has been one of the most successful in NIU history. The team had four winning seasons, five players play in postseason all-star games and two make All-American status.

“In my thinking, we’ve recruited very well the last three or four years,” Novak said. “How good is this class? Well, let’s decide when they graduate how good they were.”

NIU signed players from seven states with eight recruits coming from Illinois and six from Wisconsin.

“We always start right here in our own backyard,” Novak said. “Illinois – and particularly the Chicago area – is our No. 1 choice. At the same time, we had some great opportunities out of state. Wisconsin is so close and we’ve done well up there. We’re pleased to have these quality kids – from here or out of state – in our football program.”

NIU signed three quarterbacks, giving it a total of eight on next year’s roster.

The only departed quarterback from last year’s squad was backup Ryan Gilbert.

“All three of our new quarterbacks are tall, rangy, 6-foot-3 types – athletic and, most of all, productive,” Novak said. “We need a play-maker at quarterback. We’re excited about all three of them.”

Britt Davis, from Riverside-Brookfield, verbally committed to NIU last October and will join his brother Brandon and former high school teammate Shatone Powers on the NIU roster.

High school coach Otto Zeman called Davis the best prospect he’s ever had, and that includes former All-American Tim Brasic, who now is at Illinois.

“Britt is a shotgun passer with poise, vision, arm strength and quick feet,” recruiting analysis Tom Lemming told ESPN.com. “The thing I like about Britt is the way he consistently can roll out, avoid defenders and find the open receiver.”

Davis accounted for 7,700 total yards and 90 touchdowns in 22 games as a starter.

“We’re very happy. It’s a good, quality group,” Novak said. “Our coaches really did a great job once again. Yes, we did lose some very talented seniors. We have some good seniors-to-be coming back, and we have some younger people who can step in for us. We just don’t want to drop off. We expect to be contending for a championship this year.”