Just two years ago, Michigan State brought in Jonathan Smith as the 26th head coach in program history, a move that signaled a fresh start in East Lansing. But it wasn’t just the coaching change that sparked optimism - it was the arrival of a quarterback who looked like the future.
Aidan Chiles, the top-ranked quarterback in the 2023 transfer portal and a former blue-chip recruit, followed Smith from Oregon State to MSU. His commitment - complete with photos alongside Zeke the Wonder Dog - was more than just a recruiting win.
It was a statement. Michigan State had landed one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the country, and with a year already spent learning Smith’s system, expectations were sky-high heading into the 2024 season.
But now, in December 2025, the Chiles era at Michigan State has come to a close. The 6-foot-3, 217-pound junior has officially entered the transfer portal, with just one year of eligibility remaining. And while he’ll once again be one of the most sought-after quarterbacks on the market, his time in East Lansing will be remembered as a case of potential left unfulfilled.
Chiles appeared in 21 games for the Spartans, completing 60.8% of his passes for 3,807 yards, 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He added 452 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground - numbers that show flashes of dual-threat ability, but also the inconsistency that plagued MSU’s offense during his tenure.
He was named a team captain and shouldered a heavy load as the face of an offense that never quite clicked. And while Chiles took much of the heat for back-to-back disappointing seasons, the coaching staff - particularly Smith and offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren - faced their share of criticism as well. The question that lingered all year: Was the pro-style offense the right fit for a quarterback with Chiles’ athleticism, arm strength, and improvisational skill?
That conversation followed the team all season long, especially in our weekly Film Room breakdowns. Chiles had the tools - there’s no debating that. But whether it was scheme, development, or simply a lack of rhythm, something never quite synced.
There were still moments that reminded everyone why he was so highly regarded. Take the overtime win against Boston College - a game where Chiles put the team on his back with big throws and timely scrambles.
It was a glimpse of what could’ve been. But as the 2025 season wore on, injuries and the emergence of redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic made it harder for Chiles to stay on the field.
Eventually, he lost both the starting job and the momentum he had built.
Now, as he enters the portal again, Chiles becomes one of the most intriguing names available. The size, the arm, the mobility - it’s all still there. And for programs looking for a one-year boost under center, he’ll be hard to ignore.
For Michigan State, it’s the end of a chapter that began with so much promise. And while things didn’t pan out the way fans hoped, Chiles’ time in East Lansing won’t be forgotten. He gave everything he had to a program in transition, and for that, he leaves with respect and appreciation.
Wherever he lands next, Aidan Chiles will have another shot to show what he can do. And if the right system finds him - or he finds it - we may still see the full potential of a quarterback who once looked like the future of Spartan football.