I've mentioned before on other posts that my nephew is a considered a "Preferred Walkon" for fall 2010 at a D1 school on the W. Coast of Florida.
He has been treated as a regular recruit from day one!. In their fall press release announcing the signing class, his name and bio was included. He was included in the recruiting weekend with all the other recruits and their parents. He was also told that if he plays they way they expect him to his freshmen year, that there will be $$$ for him his sophomore year.
For his family it is a win win situation. He wanted to play D1, the school is 2 hours from home, they have Fla Pre-paid had he qualified for Bright Futures Scholarship.
You have to go with your gut instincts, how much do you know about the coaching staff? What is the overall reputation of the program?
No one can tell my nephew that he was not recruited, they found him, wanted him and got him. Just like any other recruit.