I wanted to do a comparison of the difference between a verbal commitment and when you sign a scholarship agreement.

A verbal commitment is simply a verbal agreement between the recruit and the current coach. The verbal commitment is not legally binding, however, the scholarship agreement is a legally binding, signed contract between the recruit and that institution for at least one academic year in exchange for receiving athletic aid. The newly implemented scholarship agreement, as opposed to previously used NLIs, does offer more flexibility and freedom to the recruit if needed.

A verbal commitment can be made once communication begins on June 15th before junior year, however, a scholarship agreement can not be signed until the signing period begins in November of their senior year.

Once the scholarship agreement is signed, all recruiting discussions with other coaches must end.

If a recruit has made a verbal commitment, and the coach leaves that institution, the recruit’s verbal commitment will likely be pending until the new coach is hired. The institution and new coach are not required to uphold the verbal commitment, and the recruit has the option to pursue other schools as well. However, if a recruit signs a scholarship agreement and the coach leaves, the recruit will have to ask for release of their scholarship agreement, but there is more flexibility than prior years with the NLI for the recruit to purse other options.

These are just a few of the differences between a verbal commitment and a scholarship agreement, but hopefully, it helps to distinguish a few of them.

 

For more questions please send them to bjackson@pkbgt.org