Advice

The NLI from the D1 school is only good for a limited amount of time. The early signing dates run from (about) Nov 8th to the 15th. If the NLI isn't signed and returned within that period, then the offer is automatically recinded.

Signing an NLI with the D1 school means that he cannot participate in sports at any other school that uses the NLI for the first year. None of the D3 schools participate, so signing it won't hurt his participation in D3 baseball.

We've seen this in the past ... kids sign their NLI with a D1 school, then get draft interest. They decide to pursue a JUCO education in order to maintain their eligibility for the draft each year, so they end up signing another NLI with a JUCO and attend there.

Obviously, signing the NLI with a school with the hopes of attending a second institution may harm the recruiting efforts of the original institution. They could have offered that spot/ scholarship money to a player who intends to attend the institution. It's not a practice that I personally recommend, but it is "legal".

Skip, I agree with H3... not something I could recommend either. Honesty is always the best policy and if the school isn't your son's number one, I'd suggest he wait. You don't have to tell the DI that they're not number one, but that your son simply is confused over choices and doesn't want to sign early. That may mean he looses their offer and it may not. Regardless, the coach would have to respect the honesty and that your son isn't taking advantage of the situation. Best of luck to him in his journey!

Thank you both for your reply. It is very helpful. We would never want to harm the recruiting efforts of the Division I institution, especially since it is high on my son's list. Location is playing a key role. So it is okay to tell the coach "I need more time", but it does risk the possiblity of losing your offer?

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it does risk the possiblity of losing your offer?

that's the balancing act you're faced with when making choices -
but, if you really feel that you need more time pehaps that offer is not right for you anyway - just try to make sure that if you do lose it, it's because the grass WAS greener somewhere else, not just greener looking


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question. Son is being recruited but told there are no funds available at this time. What kind of commitment should we expect from the school if he signs NLI, with no funds involved?

quote:

Originally posted by cbmom:
question. Son is being recruited but told there are no funds available at this time. What kind of commitment should we expect from the school if he signs NLI, with no funds involved?

NLI has a $$ component. What would the school be committing to you without $?

My understanding is that the NLI is a letter of intent that the recruit will play for that school and no other (that recognizes the NLI) in exchange for some reward.
If there is no money, there is nothing to give, therefore no NLI.
Look at it this way, would you agree to work for someone and not get paid?
He may get asked as a recruited walk on, I am not sure if that involves any NLI.

I hope this answers your question.

Thank you. I guess I was a little confused about what position we are in. Son would just do a verbal commitment since the school is not offering anything. What commitment should the school give him?

By the way Welcome!

I am not sure what commitment your son would receive other than an opportunity to win a position.

You should clarify that he will be a recruited walk-on or even better, you can get preferred enrollment, classes, and other benefits such as preferred housing, etc.

If your son is not being offered anything there is no need for a committment of any kind.

I never heard of a coach asking a recruit to verbally committ to his program without giving anything in return. But then again, lot of stuff I hear is pretty hard to understand for some folks.

Verbal committments are given after a "deal " is struck and before one actually signs the NLI. It essentially stops the recruiting process.

Without the NLI, he could become a recruited walk on, and your son has lots of time left before next fall to find a program where the coach really wants him and has something to give in return for that. This usually doesn't happen in the fall, but in spring. Perhaps they might have some money available in the spring, then I would see your som making a commitment.

Do recruited (invited) walk on make committments?