Rigby's Luke Flowers, top 2024 Idaho quarterback, pledges to play for Montana Grizzlies football

A year ago, first-time starter Luke Flowers was set on one thing - continuing the run of high-level success as quarterback of the Rigby High School.

Earlier this week, the three-star prospect continued another trend - Rigby signal callers heading off to the Big Sky Conference.

Flowers, Idaho's top quarterback in the 2024 class, gave the University of Montana a verbal pledge Monday night that he will sign his national letter of intent with the program.

He joins Keegan Thompson (Idaho State) and Tiger Adolpho (Weber State) as Trojans' quarterbacks on Big Sky rosters.

"I wouldn't say (the recruiting process) was too stressful," Flowers said. "I didn't have a ton of looks. I had to communicate with coaches ... so I found a way to enjoy it."

After Adolpho's two-year run as the starter ended in 2021, Flowers had a terrific debut last fall, leading Rigby to an 11-2 record - and to the Class 5A championship with a victory over Meridian.

After passing for 3,009 yards and 37 touchdowns, Flowers was named SBLive Idaho's all-state offensive player of the year in 2022.

"It's been an amazing (year), to stay the least," Flowers said. "I didn't know what to expect ... but it's the best it could have worked out for me."

There are some indirect family ties to Montana: Dad, Aaron - who is Rigby's offensive coordinator - once set the Cal State Northridge single-game passing mark against the Grizzlies in 1996.

A few years later, Aaron was hired as the quarterbacks coach at Montana State University - the Grizzlies' hated in-state rival.

This Montana coaching staff obviously liked what it saw from the younger Flowers, giving him a scholarship offer in early April. Two months later, the all-state quarterback decided to call Missoula his next home.

"It's in a beautiful spot," Flowers said. "I love the culture, coaching staff and tradition.

"Once they showed interest, I fell in love with everything about the place."

Now, Flowers can focus on getting the Trojans rolling in 2023 toward another state championship.

"This offense gives us a good opportunity to succeed," Flowers said. "It's hard to not be a good quarterback at Rigby."