I would not say slaves, as they are entering into the transaction freely. They are clearly bound by some type of contract, of which they are routinely released from its terms. It seems to functionally be a non-compete clause which should protect the team and the school. I am sure I don't like the way the rules are applied, but I understand the need for them. Without transfer rules and basic agreements between the schools on how this operates, it would be routine for larger programs to raid the smaller ones for players that they "missed on" when they came out of high school.
It seems like the player here would voluntarily sit out a year, and then be free to be recruited again. The problem for him is that he can't be recruited now or be on scholarship next year during the transfer year (I think), without the release from Fordham.