By Matthew Osborne
SouthernPigskin.com

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Five-star prospects Reuben Foster and Alex Collins publically announced their collegiate intentions on Monday night.

So much for the calm before the storm.

With National Signing Day rapidly approaching, a pair of southern prospects made relatively surprising decisions on Monday night, as five-star prospects Reuben Foster and Alex Collins publically announced their collegiate intentions.

Foster, who has been ranked by some scouting services as the No. 2 overall prospect in the nation, shocked many experts in the recruiting world by bringing his recruitment full circle when he announced that he plans on signing with Alabama.

A one-time Alabama verbal commitment, Foster de-committed from the Crimson Tide back in the summer and gave his verbal pledge to the rival Auburn Tigers. Foster then decided to get an Auburn tattoo on his forearm to show his dedication and loyalty to the school.

That devotion would be short-lived, however, as Foster re-opened his recruitment just a few months later.

Most experts in the inner recruiting circle projected that Foster, a five-star linebacker, would eventually stick with the Tigers, but the in-state rivals were able to sway Foster in their favor for a second time.

Though not as big as a surprise as Foster, many experts projected that Collins, a five-star running back prospect, would remain in Florida to attend Miami.

Those feelings would start to change towards the end of his recruitment though, as he was slightly scared away by the potential for NCAA sanctions being levied against the Hurricanes. Collins also stated that he was intrigued by the Razorbacks due to the fact that head coach Bret Bielema is committed to running the football.

Foster and Collins certainly will not be the final surprises in this 2013 recruiting cycle, but these decisions indicate that we should keep our eyes wide open over the next few days.

For all of the latest recruiting and Signing Day coverage, be sure to follow our Director of Recruiting: @MattOsborneSP