How to Verbally Commit

This is a very exciting, special time of the recruiting process as all your hard work over the years is finally rewarded! However, it can also be a very stressful endeavor trying to make the right decision.

In the end, the decision is completely up to you. The only advice I can give you is to make the decision that will make you the happiest, and not someone else.

What is a verbal commitment?

A verbal commitment is a non-binding, unofficial commitment to play athletics for a college. The reason players verbally commit before making the official signing is to lock their position and scholarship at a college as well as alleviate the stress of the recruiting process.

The thing to be aware of in a verbal commitment is that it is non-binding and does not guarantee a scholarship. Although the coach may have offered you a full-ride, that offer is not official until you sign your National Letter of Intent (NLI), which cannot be signed until your senior year for NCAA programs. It is very rare that an offer would not follow through, but it may happen in the event of a coaching change or other unfortunate occurrence.

When can I verbally commit?

Anytime! What will most likely happen is a coach will extend an offer to you on-campus while you are on a visit or at a camp. You are able to commit right there if you so choose, but it is recommended to wait so you can process the decision for a few days before accepting the scholarship. College coaches will not expect you to commit right then and there, so do not feel pressured to do so. Some coaches may give you a deadline to decide by, as they have a recruiting timeline they need to follow, but usually these deadlines are given a few weeks to months in advance.

How do I verbally commit?

Once you have made your final decision, there are several ways you verbally commit. You can verbal on a visit, in-person with the coach, or by phone call. Emailing a verbal commit is not the recommended way for initial contact. The best way to avoid miscommunication is to call the coach and verbally commit, and then send a follow-up email stating your enthusiasm to be a part of the program so the coach has the commitment confirmation in writing.

Before verbally committing to a college, show respect to the other schools that you are still in contact with or that offered you to let them know you went another direction. It can be hard to say no, but it is ultimately the best decision for both you and the college you are turning down as it is better not to drag out the process and throw off their recruiting timeline. Doing this over the phone can be awkward, but it makes it more personal and genuine.

When saying no, make sure you thank them for their time and generous offer, but honestly state that their school just isn’t the right fit for you. They will understand as I promise you this is not their first rejection and it will not be their last. Wish them good luck on their upcoming season and thank them again for the opportunity.

Verbally committing is not only an exciting time for you, your family, and future program, but also a stress reliever as a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders! Once your commitment has been verbally given to your coach, feel free to spread the news with family, friends, and social media! And let us know at Prep Dig!