I can confirm this, and not even in a big time sport. A friend’s D was “recruited” to an Ivy League uni for a not-big time sport and didn’t bother to get any other apps ready. Surprise, no acceptance came. Apps were closed for most other options long before. The D was resigned to her fate, thinking she would try again the next year, but her parents knew “people” at a NESCAC. The student had been interested in that school which had tried to recruit her, and agreed to take her after decisions were released.
The student had a great experience at the NESCAC. But it’s sad that they were so set on the acceptance from the ivy league school and never considered a back up option. I think they were a bit naive and warning bells should have gone off when they never received a likely letter. Maybe there were other warnings too. They assumed that the coach’s offer was set in stone. Is anything set in stone with Ivy League recruiting without a likely letter?