Beginning today, ACC, SEC, hey, everyone can officially offer juniors

Until now, when a junior like Butler QB Christian LeMay or Rock Hill South Pointe DE Jadeveon Clowney tells you he has an offer—it has been by word of mouth only; what the recruiters call a “verbal.” That’s where some college coach tells you they are planning to offer you when official offers are permitted.

For prep juniors, that would be today, Sept. 1. Now schools can send those players written offers in the mail. Expect the 12 schools that have already offered LeMay verbally to put it in writing over the next few days.

While that all sounds good, should any of these highly rated juniors suffer a career ending injury over the next year-and-a-half, or even if they just play poorly as juniors or seniors, those offers could be pulled and offered to some other kid.

Players don’t actually have that scholarship in hand until the February National Signing Day, when they can ink letters of intent with the schools they select. Until then, it’s all a shadow game. It’s nice to be able to say you’ve received, say, 22 written offers midway through your junior season, but stay healthy and play well, my friend.

--Stan Olson