Understanding Verbal Commitments in College Soccer Recruiting

Verbal commitments generate excitement on social media, but most families do not fully understand what they mean. Here is the complete picture.

What is a Verbal Commitment?

A verbal commitment is an oral agreement between you and a college soccer coach. You agree to attend the school and play soccer. The coach agrees to hold a roster spot (and often a scholarship) for you.

Is It Legally Binding?

No. A verbal commitment is not legally binding for either party. Only the National Letter of Intent (NLI) creates a binding agreement.

This means:

• You can change your mind at any time
• The coach can change their mind at any time
• The school has no legal obligation to honor the commitment

When Verbal Commitments Happen

Most verbal commitments in college soccer happen during:

• Junior year fall (after September 1)
• Junior year spring
• Summer before senior year

Some aggressive programs push for commitments as early as sophomore year, though the NCAA has tried to discourage this.

Should You Commit Verbally?

A verbal commitment makes sense when:

• You have visited the campus and feel confident about the fit
• You have evaluated multiple options
• The coach and program align with your goals
• Your family supports the decision
• You would attend this school even if you could not play soccer

What Happens After You Commit

• Announce on social media (if you choose)
• Stop communicating with other programs
• Continue performing well in school and on the field
• Wait to sign the NLI during the official signing period

What Happens If the Coach Leaves

This is the biggest risk of a verbal commitment. If the coach who recruited you leaves, the new coach is not obligated to honor your verbal agreement.

If this happens:

• The new coach may still want you
• You are free to reopen recruiting
• You are not stuck at the school

Decommitments

Decommitments happen. Life circumstances change, coaching changes occur, and sometimes athletes realize the school is not the right fit. There is no shame in decommitting if done respectfully.

FieldVision AI Commitment Support

FieldVision AI provides objective data to support your commitment decision. Our match scores help you evaluate whether a school is truly the right fit across academics, athletics, and finances before you make your verbal commitment.