What’s the Difference Between a Verbal Commitment and a Written Commitment?

You may be seeing a lot of verbal commitments announced on social media lately, but what does it actually mean when a player “commits” to a college soccer program? The answer depends entirely on whether we’re talking about a verbal or written commitment—and understanding this difference could save your family from major disappointment down the road.

The Reality of Verbal Commitments

A verbal commitment is essentially a handshake deal. When your daughter tells Coach Smith she’s committed to State University, she’s making a promise—nothing more. This announcement might feel official, especially when it’s shared on Instagram with celebration photos, but legally speaking, it carries no weight.

The coaching staff can still change their mind about your player. More importantly, your athlete can change theirs too. While verbal commitments show serious interest from both sides, they’re not binding agreements.

Written Aid Agreements: The Real Deal

A written aid agreement (officially called a National Letter of Intent or aid agreement) is completely different. This is the actual contract between your player and the university. Once signed, it guarantees your athlete’s scholarship money and roster spot, assuming they meet academic and eligibility requirements.

Here’s what many families don’t realize: Only written aid agreements can be signed during official NCAA signing periods. For Division I soccer, that’s typically in November and again in the spring. This timeline means verbal commitments often happen months—sometimes years—before anything becomes official.

The Coach Turnover Factor

One of the biggest risks with verbal commitments involves coaching changes. If the coach who recruited your player leaves the program, the new coaching staff has no obligation to honor that verbal commitment. I’ve seen talented players lose their “guaranteed” spots when new coaches bring in their own recruits.

However, a signed aid agreement remains valid regardless of coaching changes. The commitment is with the university, not just the coaching staff.

Player Flexibility vs. Commitment

Before signing a written aid agreement, your athlete maintains complete flexibility. They can visit other schools, consider new offers, or change their mind entirely without penalty. This flexibility is actually valuable—college soccer recruiting moves fast, and better opportunities sometimes emerge.

Once that aid agreement is signed though, your player is locked in. Transferring becomes much more complicated and may involve sitting out a season or losing scholarship money.

The Bottom Line for Families

Nothing is guaranteed in college soccer recruiting until that written aid agreement is signed. Verbal commitments are important stepping stones that show mutual interest, but they’re not finish lines. Smart families continue building relationships with multiple programs until signing day.

Keep your options open, maintain those recruiting relationships, and remember that the recruiting process isn’t over until the paperwork is complete.

Need help researching the right schools for your player or promoting their talents to college coaches? Sign up for CollegeNovo to access our comprehensive database of college soccer programs and get the guidance you need to navigate recruiting with confidence.