Oklahoma State football: A dozen prospects from 2010 signing class have left program

“It's not anybody's fault. If a guy wants to go play ball at another school, he should be able to go play ball at another school, instead of sitting around here miserable and causing problems.”

That's an issue more and more across college football, not just at OSU. Players simply aren't willing to be patient.

“They leave too early,” Gundy said. “But you can't ever talk them out of it.

“What it means, and it's no secret, we're responsible for doing a good job and trying to bring guys into our program who have enough character to stay.”

What it also means is the Cowboys have little room for recruiting error over the next couple years, or all their work building depth will be for naught.

These are good times for OSU football, with the program coming off the best season in school history, complete with a Big 12 championship and a Fiesta Bowl win and a Top 25 ranking for 2012.

There's talent in place and optimism surrounding many young players. So finding potential flaws might just be nitpicking.

And yet, there is an uneasiness over the loss of talent, inside the program and out.

And the warning signs are evident.