Everyone needs to have an excuse for being out recruited. It’s like how Purdue’s coach had some story to explain Catchings’ decommit and committing to BYU, how he “questioned his role with the team” and Coach Painter decided it was best not to have him part of Purdue’s plans.
It’s the equivalent of a “non-commitable offer” when the guy commits somewhere else. The fact is everyone wants AJ, but they’re seeing the writing on the wall here…and it is the letters B-Y-U.