Thanks.
I can't envision a "secret" NLI: isn't that an NCAA document? Maybe hush hust for a day or two, but can it even be secret? As for the secret commitment, why bother? The next formal National Letter of Intent isn't until April, so it gives prospects time to think over their thoughts on schools they were considering and then possibly think of others. They could examine how the transfer portal starts to affect schools they may be interested in and then there's always NIL.
On top of that, I wonder if other schools -- previously not on a prospect's finalist list -- will drop a dime.
Should be interesting, but I'm not holding my breath on any of these until waaay closer to April.