If the verbal commit is just that "verbal" it is not really binding correct? Either party can decide, in the case of the early commits for example, that needs changed and the program doesn't fit the athlete or the athlete doesn't fit the program.
Comments or experiences?
Verbal commitments are non-binding from the NCAA and University's perspectives. That said, please let us put the following caveats on the table.
Coach's Perspective : Only under the most pressing circumstances will a coach rescind a verbal offer - there is usually cause associated with a withdrawn offer. The causes can be academic, personal, ethics, or compliance based. A college coach will NOT want to rescind an offer (opening a recruiting gap) and more importantly does not want to gain a reputation for rescinding offers as that impacts future recruiting.
Student Perspective : Student-athletes can more easily change their minds related to a verbal offer since the process is only usually run once is an academic lifetime.
NCAA Perspective : Binding offers are associated with National Letters of Intent, effectively the contract constructed between a student-athlete and the target institution. Once the NLI is completed, there are binding NCAA rules and regulations regarding a student-athlete even talking to another institution regarding potential transfers. (Regulations covering a student-athlete release are available on the NCAA web site.)
