If you don’t knock the SIM off completely, you are not guaranteed to get the player. While you may ultimately get the recruit, the SIM will keep applying resources to them until they are knocked off. The resources they apply may ultimately make the recruit decide to play for them. In my experience, if the recruit decides within 24 hours of initial signing, the recruit will sign with me. I believe that has happened 100% of the time with me. If not, they will likely sign with the SIM. I believe only one time out of four have I gotten a recruit that committed more than 24 hours after signing starts.