It is correct that only when a NLI is signed and in the schools hands can the coach talk about a recruit
A signee is one who has signed and submitted a NLI
A commit is when a player says he is going to school "so and so"-- there is nothing official here and in many cases it never actually comes to fruition
A non scholarship player who is a "walk mon" can be noted as such once he has applied to and been accepted by the school
Hope that this helps