Can a currently enrolled student-athlete write to a prospective student-athlete before a commitment?

A currently enrolled student-athlete can indeed write to a prospective student-athlete before a commitment, as long as the correspondence is not at the direction of the institution. This allowance is primarily designed to facilitate organic communication and connections between current student-athletes and recruits, as long as it does not involve coaching staff directing or facilitating that communication. The NCAA recognizes the value of these peer interactions in the recruiting process, allowing potential student-athletes to gain insights and perspectives from current athletes about their experiences, the culture of the team, or the institution itself.

The restriction comes into play when communication is orchestrated by the institution to ensure that there are no undue influences or violations of recruiting regulations. Therefore, if the correspondence is initiated independently by the student-athlete, it aligns with NCAA guidelines and is permissible.