Forget verbal commitments, what's an LOI mean?

[18IsTheMan]

Historically, the signed LOI has been viewed as the lock. The verbal commitment was meaningless, but the signed LOI meant the deal was done. However, with UF releasing Jaden Rashada from his LOI, it has be wondering what weight an LOI carries anymore. UF obviously could have dug in and refused to release him, but that does 2 things: 1) Whether right or wrong, it makes you look bad on the recruiting trail and coaches will do anything to avoid bad press when it comes to recruiting AND 2) Creates the possibility that you force a player to be on your team who doesn't want to be there. So, UF took the path of least resistance with the lowest risk of collateral damage and released the kid.

But it has me wondering, with these kids signing at early signing period, what is there to stop some other school's collective from swooping in before the kid actually registers for classes and offering them a big paycheck to request release from their LOI. In Rashada's case, of course, it was the Gator's collective being unable to come up with the promised funds. But now that one kid has dug in and forced his release from an LOI, you can't help but wonder if it'll plant the seed in the minds of others and have recruiting going on even after LOIs have been signed.

Or maybe the Rashada situation is just a really weird one-off and not a trend-setting deal.

 

[The Reel Ess]

In my business, a letter of intent is a non-binding guarantee to place an order and pay for it at a later date.

clemson had a guy fax in his LOI once then beg to get out of it to go to FSU. They let him. In the end, do you want a malcontent on the team?

 

[18IsTheMan]

Yeah, fans have typically looked at the LOI as locked up, but it really isn’t. If a player wants out, as we both noted, the school really has no choice unless you want a malcontent as you say on the team.

it just makes me wonder with all the recent developments, if players will sign the LOI at the early signing period as more or less a backup plan, but keep their options open to go to another school if a better NIL offer comes along.

Nothing seems outlandish anymore.

 

[TeeCock]

Yeah, fans have typically looked at the LOI as locked up, but it really isn’t. If a player wants out, as we both noted, the school really has no choice unless you want a malcontent as you say on the team.

it just makes me wonder with all the recent developments, if players will sign the LOI at the early signing period as more or less a backup plan, but keep their options open to go to another school if a better NIL offer comes along.

Nothing seems outlandish anymore.

Where did this guy windup?

 

[18IsTheMan]

Where did this guy windup?

Rashada? Nowhere yet. Shopping around I guess. Heard Colorado and Cal are options. I can’t imagine anyone else is gonna give him anything close to $13 million.

 

[Spinal Tap]

Yeah, fans have typically looked at the LOI as locked up, but it really isn’t. If a player wants out, as we both noted, the school really has no choice unless you want a malcontent as you say on the team.

it just makes me wonder with all the recent developments, if players will sign the LOI at the early signing period as more or less a backup plan, but keep their options open to go to another school if a better NIL offer comes along.

Nothing seems outlandish anymore.

Greg Sankey spoke about ending the early signing period last month before the CFP. He thinks it's run it's course and adds to the confusion
that time of year.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey wants to end Early Signing Period in December

Greg Sankey calls to end the December Early Signing Period.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

 

[18IsTheMan]

Greg Sankey spoke about ending the early signing period last month before the CFP. He thinks it's run it's course and adds to the confusion
that time of year.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey wants to end Early Signing Period in December

Greg Sankey calls to end the December Early Signing Period.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

Yes, I agree with that. I don't like the early signing period.

 

[Lakemurraycock]

Greg Sankey spoke about ending the early signing period last month before the CFP. He thinks it's run it's course and adds to the confusion
that time of year.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey wants to end Early Signing Period in December

Greg Sankey calls to end the December Early Signing Period.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

The early signing period was a good idea. The timing of it with the portal being there and teams preparing for bowl season sucks. Either do away with it or move it to the summer before football season. Moving it earlier has more problems. So I favor doing away with it.

 

[Section2Cock]

I'm guessing he was released from his LOI to avoid a lawsuit directed at either the U. of Florida or more than likely the collective NIL that promised him all that money and didn't come through. Why is that U. of Florida's concern ? They don't want to lose those NIL contributors. One more point.....a LOI is now partially diluted because of the new transfer rule that does away with the one year sit out requirement. A player can transfer before he ever puts on the uniform.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I'm guessing he was released from his LOI to avoid a lawsuit directed at either the U. of Florida or more than likely the collective NIL that promised him all that money and didn't come through. Why is that U. of Florida's concern ? They don't want to lose those NIL contributors. One more point.....a LOI is now partially diluted because of the new transfer rule that does away with the one year sit out requirement. A player can transfer before he ever puts on the uniform.

I don't know how he could possibly sue UF as the Gator Collective is independent of the University (wink wink).

The LOI is certainly diminished in importance b/c of the transfer rule, rendered meaningless actually. But even without the transfer rule, if a kid signs at the early signing period and then another school's collective comes along with a big paycheck, all the kid has to do is demand release from the LOI. The original school has no choice but to release him, for the reasons mentioned above.

SCOTUS really screwed college football and there's absolutely no way to fix it.

 

[Anon1671602102]

I'm guessing he was released from his LOI to avoid a lawsuit directed at either the U. of Florida or more than likely the collective NIL that promised him all that money and didn't come through. Why is that U. of Florida's concern ? They don't want to lose those NIL contributors. One more point.....a LOI is now partially diluted because of the new transfer rule that does away with the one year sit out requirement. A player can transfer before he ever puts on the uniform.

Poster above beat me to it and it won’t let me delete so ignore this.