First it started with the decommitment of top rated linebacker from Westlake High School in Atlanta, Michael Taylor on Sunday. Then came the loss of head coach Lane Kiffin. This also resulted in the loss of defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and recruiting henchman Ed Ogeron. Now recruits are saying bye-bye to the Vols. Tennessee’s attempt to become relevant in the college football world has been put in a figure four leg lock.

Lane Kiffin leaving is obviously a big deal but the biggest loss for Tennessee is Kiffin’s dad Monte Kiffin. I have spoken to several defensive recruits and the majority have said that the major reason they are considering Tennessee is because of the chance to work under Monte Kiffin and get an “NFL education.” Now that opportunity is gone and so are the recruits, one by one.

Evidence of what I am saying can be found in the fact that over the last 24 hours, Tennesse has lost commitments from top recruits Brandon Willis, Calvin Smith, Delvin Jones and A.J. Johnson. All four of these players along with Taylor who decommitted on Sunday, play on the defensive side of the ball. With Monte Kiffin packing his bags for USC, the appeal of Tennessee to these recruits has dwindled in value like an Internet stock portfolio.

There’s still highly recruited defensive ends Jacques Smith and Corey Miller still committed to Knoxville for now but with others bolting, they may rethink their plans. Anymore jumps off of the Tennessee ship could lead to another disaster for the Vols and that’s a rush to hire leading to another hire that’s “not right” for them.

There are whispers of Mike Leach coming. That will certainly deter some defensive talent from Knoxville unless Leach were hired and saddled up with a high impact defensive coordinator. Oh I tell ya, this recruiting things is crazy. I almost can’t wait for the next piece of big news from some college campus. It’s like “As the World Turns” right now.