Shortly after an official visit to the Iowa Hawkeyes, four-star quarterback Tradon Bessinger formally decommitted from the Boise State Broncos, a development that is causing a stir in the recruiting landscape. On May 19, 2025, Bessinger, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound signal-caller from Davis High School in Utah, made a public commitment to Boise State.
Since then, his arm strength, mobility, and size for the role have drawn attention. However, he decided to reopen his recruitment after his weekend trip to Iowa City and the obvious excitement on campus. He posted on social media, saying, “First and foremost, I want to thank everyone that has helped me along my journey.” Having said that, I am leaving Boise State. My hiring process is completely open. Have faith in God.
It’s a sophisticated message that acknowledges that he believes there might be a better route for him while also being obviously respectful of Boise State. Let’s examine the significance of all of this. This is a setback for Boise State. They had committed to Bessinger, probably thinking he would be a starter in the future, but now they will have to go back and reassess their recruiting class and quarterback room. Pressure is increased by the timing, which occurs during the crucial period before signing day.
For Iowa? It’s possible that the Hawks have discovered a golden opportunity. With veteran starters nearing the end of their eligibility, the program is about to undergo a quarterback transition, and adding a well-known recruit like Bessinger could change their future. According to some articles, Iowa is the “frontrunner” to land him after his visit. According to Bessinger, this is audacious.
He committed in May, so the fact that he backed off six months later indicates that he has been researching coaching philosophies, offensive schemes, depth charts, campus culture, and the likelihood of competing for playing time. The age of 17 to 18 is too young to lock everything in for four years, but young athletes today have more freedom to make dynamic decisions.
Regarding the emotional aspect, I can’t help but imagine how difficult this must be for Bessinger and his family. You plan for one path — form connections, accept coaches, imagine your future — and then things go wrong. It takes guts to follow your instincts, explore the “what-ifs,” and have to break the news to a dedicated program you admire. It’s disappointing for Boise State coaches; you trust the verbal and make an early investment. It serves as a reminder to the fan base that recruiting is never finished until it is.
What comes next? There are several programs in the works because Bessinger is rumored to have already scheduled an official visit to the BYU Cougars for November 15. That implies that he will take his time, assess his best fit, and perhaps even think about staying in Utah, which is closer to home, or trying a Big Ten setting like Iowa.
Regarding Boise State’s response, I anticipate that they will reiterate their message to prospective recruits, emphasize opportunity and stability, and possibly quickly shift their focus to other quarterback targets. Sibling commits and offensive transfers could have a big impact on the class as a whole.
