My son's NLI was signed in spring of his senior year. He agreed to it and when he recieved it we all (parents and him) signed an returned it. There was,also, a young man on his HS team that did same in March for a D2. About a week after my son signed they had a ceremony signing for those 2 boys. On the table was blank papers and the boys pretended to sign them. We celebrated his signing (which meant he had decided where to attend college) as a family the evening he actually signed. Same happened for his teammate, I believe. The ceremony was for the school so it could go on thier website. It was over in 10 minutes. Line up, parents behind, smile, take a picture. shake hands,
Not sure why the ceremony is so important to some, but to each thier own on how you celebrate. no wrong way IMO. So if the D3 want to sign a blank papaer or something else not much difference.