The Potential Pitfalls of Committing Early
November 3rd, 2008 - by It’s all the rage in college recruiting: The early commitment.
For several years now, we have been inundated with press coverage about big time recruits from all sports who verbally choose a school early in their junior year, late in their sophomore year, or even at some point during their freshman year!
Of course, these decisions are just “verbal” commitments. They are not binding, and they can be changed before an official Letter of Intent is signed at some point during an athlete’s senior year. More and more frequently, college coaches are finding out that today’s recruits aren’t afraid to change their minds and take back their coveted early verbal commitment.
Our recruiting experts on the NCSA Blog have been writing about this topic a lot recently. There is the story of linebacker Mark Herzlich, who is now at Boston College but originally had given an early verbal commitment to the University of Virginia. In addition, we highlighted a conversation with nationally renowned recruiting expert Tom Lemming. He thinks that athletes today are making decisions way too early, hurting their chances at having a positive college sports experience.
So, what are some keys to avoiding the potential pitfalls of committing to a college early? Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Ask yourself how an early decision benefits you? Are you thinking about committing early because you see everyone else doing it? Or, is there a real, tangible benefit for you giving a coach at a college an early verbal commitment? Unless there is something that you point to that gives you a real advantage in the recruiting process, you should take your time and make a thoughtful decision that weighs all the factors of all the possible programs that you are considering.
- Is there a college program you would regret not contacting once you gave your commitment? Is there any college that you wish you had the chance to talk to or consider, but haven’t yet? Don’t commit early until you know without a shadow of a doubt that all of your options have been explored. This is a once in a lifetime decision, and you need to make sure you approach it carefully.
- Are you basing your early decision on athletics, academics, or both? Is it strictly a decision based on potential playing time, the other players at your position, or some other team factor? That certainly has to play a part in deciding which college is best. However, you also need to make sure that you’re looking at what the college offers you academically before you commit early. For most of us, our athletic careers end after we graduate from college. Make sure that the institution you are thinking about committing to will prepare you for the real world after your sports career ends.
My message to you, whether you are a talented student-athlete or a devoted parent, is to approach the idea of committing early very carefully. Don’t get wrapped up in the buzz of players signing early…some are making the right decision, and others are making the wrong one (as we showed you earlier in this article). Your decision should be based on answers to the three questions I asked you above, as well as getting the advice of your parents, your coach and those around you who will help you take a realistic, honest view of this really big recruiting decision.
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Funny timing for this article, my son who is a junior just made a verbal commitment this past weekend to a D1 college to play golf. However, we started the process very early, visits in soph. year and he had narrowed down his choices to 5 schools all of whom were willing to make him an offer. His top choice school was the one he ended up choosing and that was only after returning for a second visit and spending 2 full days with the team, coaches and exploring the school and community. For my son he feels a tremendous amount of relief, he knows where he is going, he has coaches who support and believe in him and he can now focus on getting prepared to play college golf. For him this early commitment was the right decision.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I agree with the California Mom. We are on daughter number 2 and she observed and learned from her older sisters experience. A sophomore this year she started visiting colleges last summer and has done her homework this fall. She feels ready in many ways. I think the key is educating your kids and yourself on the schools and the programs available from academics to athletics. The more they visit, ask questions, compare the more prepared they will be.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
My son is a senior this year and is being contacted by several colleges and even some professional teams. He is committed to going to college, however without any offers yet, the professional teams are looking more and more attractive. There is a lot of anxiety waiting for offers, so I see why some families make hasty decisions. It is frustrating watching teammates and others in the league commit while you wait.
November 4th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
My daughter who is now a junior at Northwestern U. decided to take her chances and wait to commit to a school during her senior year instead of as a junior, like many of her soccer teammates. What a great decision. Had she committed too soon, she would have missed out on many more choices. This was the best fit for her. Not only is she at a top notch school, but she is also enjoying a great soccer career, with a great support group of coaches and teammates. With girls sports it is a little risky as the money may run out. But if they really want you, they will hold on as long as possible before giving it away.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I agree with checking out all of the possible schools your son/daughter is interested in because you can never have to much information. Kids need to remember that schools only have so many scholarships and may be recruiting other players for the same position and if they fill that position they me pull the offer given to you. It is a catch 22 but being informed and ahead of the game will lead to a positive outcome.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I think its a very good article. In the past few years of playing football there have been several players who have verbally committed to schools. Now while thats great for them, I have noticed a drop off in there attitude, not going 100% their senior year because they dont want to get hurt and ruin there college career. I think you should wait until your a senior after your season is over is possible and make your choice then. Like the article said after college most of us wont play sports for a living, so when you leave college your going to need that diploma to be successful in life!
November 8th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
WOW! I just finished speaking with the head coach of a division III school. He has offered my son who is in his senior year a full ride scholarship for Football. Even though it is a D3 school and we have been contacted by a few Pac 10 schools who say they are interested in recruiting our son. He son is really considering verbally committing to this school. The reason is we just visited the school two weeks ago and he absolutely loved the school and the coaching staff, Education is #1 and that is the reason to attend college the opportunity to play Football is a bonus. The bonus is because it is a smaller school he will probably get more play time. Plus Like Mitch said in his reply a diploma can help you be more successful in life. and I’d like to add a diploma also can help a proffesional athlete as well.
November 10th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Uh Kimberly, that story is utterly false. If you wanted to make the point you made you didn’t need to blatantly lie by saying your son got a “full ride scholarship for football” to a D III school. One of the main differences between D I and D III is that D III schools DO NOT offer athletic scholarships. Thanks for trying.
November 11th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Not always so. While the term scholarship is not used at the D3 level many student athletes receive 100% funding through aid and grants.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:25 pm
T Buck is right. No athletic scholarships at D3 level, only merit and fine arts. Not to mention traditional pell grants, etc.