National Signing Day 2012: Biggest Shockers from Recruiting Extravaganza

College football's National Signing Day is in the rear-view mirror, and while there are still a few high-profile recruits that have to decide, the vast majority of them did so on Wednesday.

As expected, college football's recruiting holiday wasn't without some surprises.

Some of those surprises came in the form of a player picking an unexpected school, while others came when a player switched his commitment at the last moment. Whatever the case, National Signing Day didn't go precisely how everyone expected, and that is what makes it entertaining.

Here are the three biggest shockers to come out of Wednesday's signing bonanza. 

Dante Fowler Jr. Flips from Florida State to Florida

There is no question that the Florida State Seminoles put together the most impressive group of defensive linemen during the recruiting process. In addition to the ESPNU 150's No. 1 overall recruit Mario Edwards, the 'Noles grabbed the No. 10 prospect in defensive tackle Eddie Goldman. No. 71 overall recruit defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. also seemed to be locked up as he committed to Florida State.

Following the Goldman signing, however, Fowler flipped the script and decided to go with the Seminoles' in-state rivals; the Florida Gators. One would have to assume that with all the defensive line depth Florida State nabbed in the recruiting process, Fowler was worried about playing time and whether he fit in.

In terms of making an immediate impact, Florida was probably the right choice, but he could have been a part of something special on the Florida State defensive line. 

Kwon Alexander Chooses LSU

Perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that ESPNU 150's No. 29 overall prospect and No. 3 linebacker signed with LSU to be a part of one of the best defenses in the nation, but Kwon Alexander's location suggests otherwise. The Oxford, Ala. native was also being courted by in-state schools like Alabama and Auburn, so it's interesting to note that he chose a bitter rival instead.

The Tigers and head coach Les Miles certainly didn't pull in the dynamite recruiting class that LSU have grown accustomed to, but Alexander was a major coup. Not only is he a strong, speedy and athletic linebacker who will fit in well on the LSU defense, but lifting him from Alabama country proves that the Tigers are major players everywhere in the SEC region. 

Deontay Greenberry Spurns Notre Dame for Houston

In arguably the biggest shocker of the day, ESPNU 150's No. 106 overall recruit and No. 17 wide receiver Deontay Greenberry decided to decommit from Notre Dame. That, in and of itself, may not seem like such a big surprise. Players decommit from major programs all the time. However, the fact that he chose Houston instead certainly turned a lot of heads in the college football world.

The Cougars entered the national consciousness in a major way last season as they were just a Conference USA Championship Game win away from a BCS bowl. Quarterback Case Keenum will be gone, but the offense that made him a three-time 5,000-yard passer is still in place. Houston may have been a great choice for Greenberry in terms of production, but turning down the prestige of Notre Dame was a surprise.