Have been combing through old threads, hoping to glean perspective on this. I recognize that in men’s soccer this practice is not uncommon at top tier programs. What are the benefits/risks of making an early verbal commitment as a recruited walk-on? What does recruit tell other programs that have extended offers? Son is anxious to move forward; Mum is anxious that he’ll be closing doors with little more than a verbal assurance.
The risk is that your son will not end up playing soccer. As a walk-on, it is typical that there are try-outs for the final roster once school is in session. There is no guarantee from anyone that a walk-on will make the team. Your son will have to commit to the school and then hope that everything works out and he makes the team. The fact that the coach is asking him to walk-on and not offering a firm committment tells me that he probably has other students in the wings and wants to try them all out to see who is the best fit for the team without having to commit ahead of time. The problem is that once your son is there he doesn’t really have other options unless he wants to play with the college club team. My son plays for a D2 school, and this happens all the time. It is not a problem as long as your son wants to attend that school for the academics no matter what. However, if playing soccer is a priority than this is very risky. If your son has firm offers from other coaches then he might want to consider them, if soccer is a passion and a priority.
One more thought: if your son were to try-out with the team and then not make it and want to transfer the next year, he would still be considered a “transfer” by NCAA rules for D1 and D2. This means that he would have to get permission from the Athletic Director of his current school to even talk to other coaches. There may also be other implications, such as possibly having to sit out a year after transfer- I’m not at all sure about that part, but the NCAA has a Guide for Transfers that covers all of the rules.
Soccer recruitment for men is so difficult. Unless a player is a top-notch recruit (ranked very tippy top of the thousands of players) it is so difficult to get a firm, written offer from a top-tier program. My son took the chance at his school, was red-shirted his first year and then ended up as a starter his second year, so it paid off for him. However, there was just as good a chance he could have ended up not making the team and he knew that when he committed to the school. He had decided this was the school for him and he was willing to risk it (I’m not sure how well he would have accepted not making the team- I think he took a very positive attitude and just never let that thought enter his mind). It all boils down to how high a priority playing soccer is. Good luck to your son- I totally understand where both of you are coming from in wanting to get this over with.