Let me explain my son's situation. He is being recuited by a D2 school who is just in transition from D3. He has been offered (guanteed) a spot on team with a chance to be a key player and offered academic scholarship funds. At this point in program, school only has 1 Atheltic scholarship, which is being used on to recruit pitchers. Coach is looking for a verbal commitment. We have discussed with Coach about the possibilities of getting some athletic money down the road as they become avail (next year 3.5 scholarships avail, following year 7). Therfore my son would have to verbally commit, vice sign a NLI, to lock in that spot on the team. Once he commits, they will not recruit furthur to fill that spot.
He is also being recruited by a NAIA school. Offered some athletic money. They have something similar to NLI. They make a final offer, its put in writing, my son signs it.
Is one better than the other, couldn't tell you. In our case the verbal commitmant is a verbal agreement between him and the Coach. If the Coach is true to his word, it will all work out. Is a signed NLI better, who knows, I seen a few players sign NLI's at D1 schools and not even make the team. So in those cases it was a situation in which the school paid a portion of their first year tuition to tryout for the team (paid walk-on). In our case, both Coaches have promised spots on the team for 4 years (if son follows rules, keeps up grades, etc) with good chances of actually playing early on in his college career.
So in either case, we have to put our faith into the Coaches intregrity and hope it all works out. Neither school appears to be over recruiting (bringing in more players than they have spots for).
These 4 players you mention may have had some simular offers/promises or some academic money given out. Its not alway about getting paid to play, its about playing, getting that oppertunity you have worked for most of you whole life. If you continue to work hard at it, and continue to prove yourself on (and off) the field, good things will happen, even if you do not have a NLI.
And maybe you can get a good education along the way, 1st prioity.