I really don't know the inside processes. As in a normal contract, does offer and acceptance equal a mutual obligation? If so, the first ones to accept would have the spots. Or is an offer not really an offer, and the school still has the final say-so?

I believe that it is all up in the air until the player signs the letter of intent. The school can withdraw it's offer, but it's not good public relations with coaches. I recall when we withdrew our offer to the young man who went to La Tech, and his coach said he'd never again send one of his players to Steve Shields. I believe if a player accepts your offer, you had best honor it. If you don't have a scholarship available when the time comes, you could ask the player to walk on for one season with a guarantee he'll have a scholarship after that. I think that's what happened with the Baker kid who went to Wichita State and became a great player. Unfortunately, we lost him.

A verbal offer and a verbal commitment mean nothing. Both parties hope they are solid. But both can be taken back at any point.

And scholarships are done on a year to year basis. You can lose your scholarship between your junior and senior year of the coach thinks he has found a player better than you. You sign scholarships for each summer and each year.