Many student-athletes are unaware that verbal commitments are non-binding and how they're different from signing an Athletic Aid Agreement.
As you navigate the recruiting process, remember that "verbal offers" and "verbal commitments" are very exciting, but they are not guaranteed commitments. Remember, your goal should be signing an Athletic Aid Agreement, which marks your official and binding commitment to a program for one year.
Here, we will talk about navigating verbal offers and verbal commitments, as well as what you must do to ensure you have a roster spot.
What is a Verbal Offer?
A verbal offer is when a college coach offers a prospective student-athlete and their family a roster spot, and potentially an athletic scholarship through a conversation. A verbal offer is not binding, as nothing is signed. This is because it is an offer from the coach and not through the athletic department. Consider a verbal offer as a “handshake” agreement until you sign an Athletic Aid Agreement, which provides formal documentation. The coach or the prospective student-athlete can withdraw from a verbal offer at any time.
What is a Verbal Commitment?
A verbal commitment is when a student-athlete verbally agrees to attend a school. The difference between a verbal commitment and a verbal offer is that with a verbal commitment, the student-athlete is saying to the coaching staff that they plan to attend their school. A verbal commitment is not a binding agreement, as nothing is officially signed by either the student-athlete or the coach.
Like a verbal offer, the college coach or student-athlete can end this commitment at any time.
When Would I Receive a Verbal Offer?
Most student-athletes will receive a verbal offer towards the end of their recruiting process, usually during junior or senior year. Verbal offers can happen over the phone with a coach or when you are on an official or unofficial visit.
If a college coach offers you a position on the spot and you are not sure if you are ready to commit verbally just yet, you can always ask the coach if there is a deadline on when they need an answer. If you feel that you can benefit from more time to consider the offer, you can request an academic or financial pre-read if that has not already been completed.
An academic pre-read is when a coach brings your transcript, test scores, etc., to the admissions office to see if you will be accepted, and evaluate you for potential merit scholarships. This process can take a few days and will give you time to decide.
A financial pre-read is when your family shares financial documents with the coach to bring to the Office of Financial Aid to determine how much your family will be expected to pay for tuition. From there, the Office of Financial Aid will provide a document for your family to know what they will be expected to pay for. We provide guidance here on how to interpret this document.
How Do I Accept a Verbal Offer and Verbally Commit?
If a coach gives you a verbal offer in person or over the phone, and you have decided this program is the best fit for you, you should accept their offer! Remember, this is not binding; however, you should only accept a verbal offer from a school that you fully plan on attending. It is not a great idea to accept multiple verbal offers, as college coaches consistently communicate with each other.
After you verbally commit, it'll be important that you continue to keep in touch with the coaching staff. Contact the coaching staff about academic or athletic updates, or when you submit your application to their college. If you verbally commit to a program, the coaching staff will usually want you to apply to the school as early as possible, and may even request that you apply early decision or early action.
If I Verbally Commit, Am I Guaranteed an Athletic Scholarship?
A verbal commitment does not guarantee an athletic scholarship. It's merely an agreement between the coaching staff and the student-athlete and is not binding on the athletic department. The availability of athletic scholarships can vary based on factors such as performance, eligibility, and funding availability. Even signing an Athletic Aid Agreement does not necessarily guarantee an athletic scholarship for all four years, as scholarships are typically awarded on an annual basis and are subject to various factors. Learn more about the types of athletic scholarships available in your sport here.
We recommend asking your coach for a financial pre-read if you're unsure if you will receive any aid. With a financial pre-read, your coach will work with the Office of Financial Aid to determine what your family will be expected to pay for tuition. A financial pre-read will help facilitate a conversation about whether you will receive any athletic aid, academic aid, or other merit-based scholarships. They may also be able to help you seek out additional aid that the school provides.
Is a College Obligated to Honor a Verbal Commitment?
Since a verbal commitment is not binding, a college does not need to honor a verbal commitment. However, it is uncommon for a college not to keep a verbal commitment. A few reasons why this could happen are listed below:
- Coaching Change: If you had a verbal commitment with the coaching staff at the time, and that coaching staff was let go or left that program, the new coaching staff may not uphold that verbal agreement. If you find yourself in this position, you should contact the new coaching staff immediately, introduce yourself, and explain your current situation with their program.
- Student-Athlete Academics: Good grades are just as important as athletic ability when it comes to securing a spot on a college team. A coach can withdraw their verbal offer if a student-athlete's grades drop dramatically or if they are not academically eligible.
- Student-Athlete Misconduct: If a student-athlete violates their high school conduct code, this may appear on the student-athlete's college application. If you find yourself in this position, being honest with the coach will be essential, so it doesn't surprise anyone when you go through the college's admissions process.
When Do You Verbally Commit to College?
You can verbally commit at any time in your recruiting process. There are no NCAA rules surrounding verbal commitments because they are not binding. If you find yourself receiving a verbal offer from a school, it'll be crucial that you do your research and ensure that the school is the best fit for you. Do not accept a verbal offer if you are unsure if you see yourself at that school. To ensure the school is the right fit for you, check out our tips here.
Signing an Athletic Aid Agreement
Unlike a verbal commitment or offer, signing an Athletic Aid Agreement is an official and binding commitment to a school. This was previously known as signing your National Letter of Intent, which was removed in October of 2024.
An Athletic Financial Aid Agreement outlines the program's financial aid offerings. This can include athletic scholarships, academic scholarships, merit aid, and need-based aid. In some cases, student-athletes may also have a revenue share detailed in this agreement.
Read the Agreement Carefully Before You Sign
Athletic Aid Agreements have grown in complexity since the House v. NCAA settlement. Some agreements can incorporate revenue-sharing provisions alongside traditional scholarship terms, and some include clauses that affect your rights as a student-athlete beyond your time at that school, including your ability to transfer.
Under a rule adopted on April 27, 2026 (Division I Proposal 2026-36), a school is not required to enter your information into the NCAA Transfer Portal if you have signed a valid settlement-related benefits agreement that releases the school from that obligation. That language can appear directly in your Athletic Aid Agreement, in revenue-sharing documentation, or in a separate benefits agreement your school asks you to sign. If you sign an agreement containing that language, your school has no obligation to process your Transfer Portal request, which could affect your ability to move to another program.
Before you sign, read the full agreement carefully. Look specifically for any language that:
- References your rights related to the NCAA Transfer Portal or the notification of the transfer process
- Releases the school from its obligations to enter you into the national transfer database
- Ties any benefits, including revenue sharing, to conditions related to your continued enrollment at that institution
If you're unsure what any provision means, don't rely solely on your coach or the athletic department for an explanation. Consider having a family attorney, a sports law professional, or another trusted independent advisor review the document with you before signing. This step is especially important for agreements that include revenue sharing, as these tend to carry more complex terms than a standard scholarship offer.
Before signing, make sure you are 100% certain that this is the right school and that you fully understand every provision in the agreement. Once you sign the Athletic Aid Agreement, your recruiting process officially comes to an end, and you are fully committed to your future school.
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