Quarterback Aidan Chiles could have cried when Jonathan Smith left Oregon State for Michigan State. Now he's going with his coach.
Smith and the Spartans have secured their quarterback and bolstered their program after Chiles announced Thursday that he's transferring to Michigan State. Chiles, who has three remaining years of eligibility, was one of the top players and the No. 1 quarterback in the portal, per 247 Sports.
A native of Southern California, Chiles was a four-star recruit in 2023 with offers from the likes of Washington and Oregon. Smith, a former QB himself, helped lure him to Oregon State, where Chiles backed up D.J. Uiagalelei this season.
Chiles appeared in nine games and completed 24 of 35 passes for 309 yards, four touchdowns and no picks, adding 79 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. He's a true dual-threat quarterback.
It's a huge get for the Spartans, who are coming off a 4-8 season mired by scandal and the firing of former head coach Mel Tucker. They're 5-13 in Big Ten play the past two seasons, and the conference is only getting tougher with the additions of Washington, Oregon, USC and UCLA.
Michigan State needs a serious influx of talent under Smith, via both the portal and the recruiting trail. Chiles is a great way to start.
