Jackson Presley, the decorated Glacier High quarterback who will be a senior this fall, has flipped his college commitment from Boise State to Montana State.

Presley made the announcement around 9 p.m. Sunday in an Instagram post titled, “STAYING HOME.” 

“As a kid, the goal in anything I did was to strive, train and earn an opportunity play at the next level to chase my dream of one day Lord Willing playing in the NFL,” his post read in part. “I’ll never forget when I verbally committed to Boise State. Coach (Spencer) Danielson is a man of Faith and that is exactly why I committed to play for a Top 10 program in America. 

“... After much prayer, thought and communication with my family, I have decided it’s best to continue my playing career in the State that gave me everything and flip my commitment to Montana State!” 

Reached by phone on Monday, Presley said his faith and desire to stay in Montana guided the decision. 

“It was tough,” he said. “I battled the thoughts for a while. 

“I talked with the Lord and let him guide me. I need to stay in Montana; I grew as a man of Christ here. Montana gave me everything.” 

Presley came to Montana from California and Glacier High as a sophomore, and the Wolfpack made the State AA championship game both seasons he has started at QB. He’s already No. 2 on the school’s career list for passing yards with 5.723 (Brady McChesney is No. 1 with 6.527) and sits third in touchdown passes with 54, against just 12 interceptions. 

He made a recent trip to visit both the Montana and Montana State campuses.  

“I clicked with Montana State better than the Grizzlies,” he said, crediting the Bobcats’ coaches and players. “Bozeman definitely gave off a home vibe.” 

The Bobcats are coming off a 15-1 season that ended with a loss to North Dakota State in FCS title game, quarterback Tommy Mellott’s final collegiate start. Replacing Mellott, the 2024 Walter Payton Award winner, is one of the bigger tasks ahead for coach Brent Vigen and the Cats. 

Montana State already has two quarterbacks in the 2025 recruiting class: Grant Vigen, son of the head coach who played at Gallatin High in Bozeman; and River Warren out of Oklahoma. Both are three-star recruits according to 24/7sports.com, as is Presley, who will be in the 2026 recruiting class.  

That’s at least three candidates competing for one spot. Competition will be fierce. 

“Absolutely,” Presley said. “But that’s the best part.” 

Vigen had a strong reputation as an excellent quarterbacks coach before he replaced Jeff Choate at MSU in February of 2021. His QBs at North Dakota State included Brock Jensen; he coached Josh Allen at Wyoming before landing the MSU job.  

Vigen’s 47-10 record at MSU is the best four-year start in school history. 

    Glacier quarterback Jackson Presley (12) drops back to pass in the first quarter against Butte at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 13. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Glacier quarterback Jackson Presley (12) drops back to pass in the second quarter against Helena Capital during the Class AA state championship at Vigilante Stadium on Friday, Nov. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Click here to order photo reprints.
 Casey Kreider