I believe recruits can appeal
NLI APPEALS PROCESS NLI
Penalty A signee who does not attend the signing institution for at least one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) must serve one academic year in residence and will lose one season of competition in all sports upon enrollment at another NLI member institution.
NLI First Appeal
Before filing an appeal, the signee must first receive the institution’s release decision. If an institution determines a “No Release” decision, the student may appeal that decision to the NLI Committee no later than 30 days after an institution has denied the release request. This date is noted on the NLI Release Request under the institution’s decision. The signee will submit the NLI appeal online. The NLI appeal submission will show within the signee’s release request record. After submitting the NLI appeal, along with any uploaded supporting documents, the appeal will be received by the NLI office and the signing institution. The institution will have an opportunity to respond to the signee’s appeal. The institution’s response, along with any uploaded supporting documents, will be submitted online. Following receipt of the institution’s response, all information is reviewed by the NLI Committee for decision. The NLI appeal status will show as pending until the NLI Committee’s decision is rendered.
NLI Second Appeal
In the case of the NLI Committee’s denial of the signee’s first appeal, a second and final appeal opportunity is available. This second appeal must be submitted online within 30 days of the date of the first appeal decision. The second NLI appeal submission will show under the first appeal status. The signee must provide the reason for appealing with any new supporting documentation. The second appeal information is submitted online the same as the first appeal. This new information will be provided again to the signing institution for a response. The NLI Appeals Committee will be provided all documentation from the first and second appeal. The NLI Appeals Committee is a separate body from the previous NLI Committee and will conduct its own review of the information provided, including giving the student the opportunity to speak to the Committee members via telephone conference call.
An appeal takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete. The time frame may vary depending on the nature of the appeal.