More than a year ago, linebacker Dalton Santos became the first commitment for Oklahoma State in the 2012 class, committing to the Cowboys in October 2010. Then offers started flooding in, and by the end of his junior year, the four-star prospect decided to reopen his recruitment and research some of his other options.

He felt the most comfortable with two coaches, Tennessee's Justin Wilcox and Peter Sirmon, and in early August, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound inside linebacker committed to the Volunteers over Texas A&M. Santos felt relieved that his recruitment, which can often be a hectic and stressful process, seemed to be finished.

He was wrong. Two weeks ago, while Santos was at the Under Armour All-America Game in Florida, things changed again. Wilcox and Sirmon, who had been instrumental in the prospect's decision to commit to Tennessee, left for positions at the University of Washington.

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Kipp Adams | email

Reporter, RecruitingNation

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• Reporter for RecruitingNation
• Covers Southeast and Georgia Bulldogs recruiting
• Joined ESPN in 2011