Aidan Chiles to Enter Transfer Portal: Three Landing Spots That Make Sense
The news Michigan State fans had been bracing for finally became official Monday afternoon: quarterback Aidan Chiles is headed to the transfer portal.
While the window doesn’t officially open until January 2, Chiles has made his intentions clear. After two seasons in East Lansing-marked by flashes of promise but ultimately inconsistency-he’s looking for a fresh start. Chiles lost the starting job this past season to redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic, and now he’s ready to explore new opportunities.
And make no mistake: there will be interest. Chiles is still a high-upside talent with tools that coaches believe they can mold into a Power Four starter-and potentially more.
His next stop could be the turning point in his career. Here are three programs that make a lot of sense as potential landing spots for the former Spartan.
1. Arizona State: A Familiar Face in a New Place
This one jumps off the page right away.
Chiles may not have considered Arizona State coming out of high school, but there’s a strong connection here that could change things this time around. Head coach Kenny Dillingham, who recruited Chiles hard during his time at Oregon, is now calling the shots in Tempe. That relationship could be a major factor if Dillingham remains at ASU-though Michigan is reportedly pursuing him as well.
Assuming Dillingham stays, this could be a compelling reunion. Arizona State is in need of a quarterback after losing Sam Leavitt-another former Spartan-to the portal.
Could Dillingham dip back into East Lansing for another QB? It’s a storyline that writes itself.
Geographically, it makes sense too. Chiles is from California, so Tempe is closer to home, and he’d be working with a coach who already believes in his potential. Dillingham is known for his quarterback development, and that could be exactly what Chiles needs to get his career back on track.
2. USC: A Second Chance at a First Impression
Lincoln Riley has long been a fan of Chiles. In fact, when Chiles was first considering a transfer-before ultimately sticking with Michigan State-Riley made a strong push to bring him to USC. That didn’t happen then, but the door could be reopening now.
The key variable here is Jayden Maiava. If the Trojans’ current quarterback declares for the NFL Draft, USC will be in the market for a new signal-caller. And Riley, who’s developed a reputation as a quarterback whisperer, could see Chiles as a project worth investing in.
There’s also some recent history between Chiles and USC that could come into play. Earlier this season, Chiles had one of his better performances against the Trojans’ defense-a game that likely didn’t go unnoticed by Riley and his staff.
If Maiava moves on, don’t be surprised if USC circles back to Chiles. With Riley’s offensive system and quarterback track record, this could be a situation where both sides benefit in a big way.
3. Oregon State: A Homecoming in the Making?
This one has a certain poetic feel to it.
Chiles began his college career at Oregon State under then-head coach Jonathan Smith. Now, with Smith gone and the Beavers in a bit of flux, there’s a chance for Chiles to return to where it all started and write a new chapter.
It’s not a lock-especially if Smith isn’t there to coach him-but the familiarity with the program and the region could be appealing. Chiles is a California native, and Corvallis isn’t too far from home. Plus, there’s something to be said for the comfort of returning to a place where you’ve already built relationships and understand the culture.
There was also some consideration for San Diego State, given Chiles’ California roots and the Aztecs’ previous interest in him during his high school days. But if it comes down to choosing between a Group of Five program and a return to a Power Four school where he once started his journey, Oregon State might have the edge.
The Road Ahead
Aidan Chiles’ time at Michigan State didn’t unfold the way many expected, but his story is far from over. With the transfer portal opening in just a couple of weeks, he’ll have no shortage of options-and whichever program lands him will be getting a quarterback with raw tools, untapped potential, and a point to prove.
Now it’s just a matter of finding the right fit. Whether it’s a reunion with a former coach, a second chance with a top-tier program, or a homecoming to familiar ground, Chiles’ next move could be the one that defines his college career-and maybe even sets the stage for something bigger down the line.