Please allow me to add my two cents' worth here as a parent of a high school sophomore (soon to be rising junior) who's looking into playing college sports. I've also served as a Board member for our local community's sport-specific youth athletic association, so I am a LITTLE BIT familiar with SOME of the rules. (In other words, I probably know just enough to be dangerous - to myself or others around me!)
Per the NCAA Eligibility Center's guidelines, prospective NCAA student-athletes should register with that entity (I think this is the "recruit sheet" referred to by
@fencersmother) starting in the fall of their junior year of high school. Depending on the sport, that is also GENERALLY the time when NCAA coaches can start officially speaking with prospective student-athletes. Please be aware that there are a number of individuals and organizations who will be happy to assist with the clearinghouse registration process - for an additional fee. (There is a $65 fee through the NCAA's web site.) The NCAA's site is LOADED with information and guidelines, and the rules are truly mind-boggling. The short version: contact such as that described by
@Baseballrecruit might be within NCAA guidelines.
I agree with
@fencersmother that the use of some of these terms (such as "committed") might not be within the NCAA rules; certainly ANY verbal offer is only talk - it's not binding on either the student-athlete
or the college/university. However, I can tell you that these terms are used all the time in any number of sports, and well before any official contact is permitted by the NCAA. The term "committed" is freely (and frequently) used by prospective student-athletes, parents, coaches, and others.
@shellz is right on re: the age group, too - my prospective student-athlete attended a soccer camp several months ago that was run by one of a number of evaluating services. I now get regular emails with updates detailing the "commitments" being made by fellow members of her class (of 2017),
even though these student-athletes aren't technically allowed to have formal contact with NCAA coaches until this coming September 1st! In fact, this service seems to brag that a significant portion (it looks to be half or more) of their "Top 150" have already committed.
I am by no means justifying the use of the term - merely trying to add perspective to the conversation. Anyone hoping to play an NCAA sport should be very careful to make sure that they (and their parents and coaches) understand the rules; violations could jeopardize their chances.