Boise State’s Spencer Danielson comments on string of recruiting decommitments

‘It’s frustrating, absolutely,’ Danielson said

Spencer Danielson | Boise State Athletics

Four quarterbacks have given a verbal commitment to Boise State and head coach Spencer Danielson during the class of 2026 recruiting cycle. 

Three of the prospects — Bryson Beaver, Tradon Bessinger and Jackson Presley — wound up decommitting from the Broncos. 

Bessinger, a four-star recruit from Utah’s Davis High School, decommitted from Boise State over the weekend. Beaver flipped from Boise State to Oregon in June; Presley is now committed to Sacramento State.

“It’s frustrating, absolutely,” Danielson said of the decommitments. “You pour your heart into recruiting, and for me, I’m a relationship guy. That’s who I am. I don’t do anything half-hearted. If I’m recruiting a kid, I’m all-in because if you commit to us, you’re going to be a son to me. And I don’t take that mantle lightly with these kids.

“So when someone is a part of that and then decides not to be, it absolutely is hard. It’s hard on the heart because you build a relationship and you love these kids, and I want God’s best for them and I believe that’s right here. But if they don’t, I can’t force them to see that. Because this place is too special and I want guys here that want to be here and know there is no better place than right here.”

Danielson spoke more about the modern recruiting landscape during Monday’s press conference. 

On losing commits 

“To me, it’s all about our process. If we handle the process right with a recruit, I sleep at night however it goes. If we end up getting him, that’s the right fit for us. We know that he knows he’s called here, because I believe in this place. I believe there’s no better place to play college football or coach college football than Boise State. … That’s why I’ve been here nine years is because I believe this place will develop you to be the best version of yourself. And a lot of our players — everyone here — and a lot of our commits believe that, too. 

“There’s going to be certain guys — and not getting too much into it — that have different opportunities and want to go places. For me, I’m all about our process. If we’ve done it the right way with that young man, that family, and they know exactly what our vision is for them and why we believe it is the perfect fit, they’re either going to want to be a part of this or not. But I am not ever going to force young men to be here. I’m not going to use money to try and make a kid come here. That’s not what I believe in. I want kids that want to be here, I want kids that want to be a part of this team. And if they don’t, this ain’t the right fit for them.”

On committed players taking official visits to other schools

“I’m not a big fan of it. It’s something that when someone commits, I take that seriously. What a lot of schools will do is you commit, and we’re going to hold that spot but I’m still going to try and recruit ‘better’ than you. We don’t do that here. You commit, that means you’re coming. That’s a two-way street. That means we’re not recruiting that position anymore if we’re full, it’s over. And a lot of our commits understand that. Some don’t. And everybody has their different path, I believe it’s all going to work out in the end as long as our process is right.”