[Bamabeachlivin]

Ever since he committed to Alabama on Nov. 14, Dont’a Hightower has been counting down the days until Wednesday — national signing day. That will be the day when his countdown hits zero, and the Marshall County senior officially becomes part of the Crimson Tide’s football family. The recruiting process does not end when an athlete commits to a school. In some cases, it only means the recruitment to lure an athlete away from a school intensifies, meaning Hightower – and many other attractive recruits like him – have been subjected to others’ sustained pitches up until the very end.

“I guess I can’t blame them,” said Hightower, a 6-foot-3, 248-pound linebacker. “That’s their job to try and find the best players in the nation.”
A commitment, like the one Hightower made almost three months ago, is nonbinding for both the athlete and the college coaching staff extending the offer. Those commitments became official Wednesday when recruits signed a letter of intent and fax in those documents to their future schools.

Fulmer didn’t give up easily

Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer was one coach who in the last few months attempted to lure Hightower away from Coach Nick Saban and Alabama.

Fulmer and defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell traveled to Lewisburg after Hightower’s commitment in an attempt to make one last sales pitch. Only, Hightower never spoke with the two UT coaches that day. Instead, he stuck to a pledge he had made with his Marshall County coach, Don Thomas, which was to turn down any meetings with college recruiters not prearranged.

And Hightower said he wouldn’t have OK’d a meeting had the UT coaches called ahead.
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[JRL]

I have read that some conferences (Big 10 for one) have a non-binding agreement in the coaching ranks to back off once a kid makes a verbal commitment to another Big 10 school. I also read one of the new coaches didn't follow the code and has made a few enemies along the way.

The SEC is known for cut-throat recruiting with some coaches calling right up until the kid puts his letter in the fax machine

It's no wonder kids jump around at the last minute and I'm surprised more don't.

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by JRL

I have read that some conferences (Big 10 for one) have a non-binding agreement in the coaching ranks to back off once a kid makes a verbal commitment to another Big 10 school. I also read one of the new coaches didn't follow the code and has made a few enemies along the way.

The SEC is known for cut-throat recruiting with some coaches calling right up until the kid puts his letter in the fax machine

It's no wonder kids jump around at the last minute and I'm surprised more don't.

Well all is fair in love war and recruiting... until you get caught.