In recruiting, players look for ‘insurance policy’

And yes, there are some players who commit early as an “insurance policy” and then switch if there’s a chance to upgrade to a better school. Then again, there also are players who get ignored and dropped when colleges change head coaches or assistants late in the recruiting process.

Here’s some observations from college coaches:

Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson: When they come in and commit, we look each other in the eye, we shake hands and we say "You understand what this means? If you're not comfortable with this, then don't tell me you're coming. Because when you tell me you're coming, I'm going to give you that spot, and I'm going to give you my word that I'm not going to shop your spot for somebody else. And you're giving me your word that you're coming." OK, in my mind, I'm going to uphold it. And I don't know any other way to do business other than to be honest. But it's getting to the point where you don't have any honesty on the other side — it's "Well, I thought about it, and this is what's best for me." Well then, why did you do it to begin with? Just say "Hey coach, I really like your school a lot and right now if I had to decide, this is where I would come but I want to wait." … We've had kids in recruiting through the years plenty of times in December and January decide they want to come (to Tech), and we're full. It happens all the time. I'm like "I wish you would've told me (earlier) but I can only take two. I've got two committed. If something happens, I will call you back."

Vanderbilt's James Franklin: I get frustrated because I think we do a really, really good job of being thorough and being really detailed with kids when they commit. I find out what their dream school was when growing up. I ask them if that school offers, is that going to change anything? If it could, then don't commit. I don't have a problem with kids going on visits. I don't have a problem with kids looking at other schools. … But once you give me your word, and we give you ours, then it's over.

LSU's Les Miles: Well, those guys that switch commitments in recruiting, it happens every year. It's just the way it is. And it's unfortunate because what happens is you go to plan on the arrival of a guy who's committed to you and sometimes committed to you for a long time. Here you are trying to manage scholarships, and he changes his mind at the last minute. That's all well and good if he's not committed. But if a guy has thought enough of his decision to make a firm commitment to the school of his choice, there should be a responsibility there that allows him to stay with that commitment.

Auburn's Gus Malzahn: Well, I think it happens every year. I think it goes both ways, too, because you make a commitment to a certain school. I'm always one of those guys that think people need to honor their commitments. But if things change on the other end … if they change from the time they make commitments, I think that definitely makes people look at things.

Kentucky's Mark Stoops: I think, without having an early signing period, this is here to stay. … The commitments are not legally binding until signing day. As long we don't have an early signing period, you're going to see that continue to happen.