Michigan State lands Oregon State transfer QB Aidan Chiles
Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith and his staff made waves across the college football landscape on Dec. 14, landing Oregon State transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles. The freshman quarterback was one of the top available prospects in the entire 2024 transfer portal cycle. He provides a massive boost to a nearly empty Spartan quarterback room.
Chiles officially entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4 when it opened to non-graduate transfers. The process moved quickly as he announced his commitment via social media. Chiles was expected to follow Smith and company to East Lansing, confirming the biggest recruiting win of the early in Smith’s tenure as Michigan State head coach.
Originally of Downey (Calif.) High School, Chiles was a four-star recruit and ranked the No. 160 overall recruit by the 2023 On3 Industry Rankings. He was also ranked the No. 12 quarterback and the No. 13 recruit in California. Chiles committed to Oregon State and Jonathan Smith after being heavily pursued by Washington, Oregon, and many others.
The former four-star recruit will likely compete for the starting job at Michigan State with whoever else Smith and offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren bring in this off-season.
The Spartans lost two former starting quarterbacks to the transfer portal in Katin Houser and Noah Kim, along with true freshman Sam Leavitt, all announcing that they have entered the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder has spent one season in Corvallis, appearing in eight games. Chiles completed 24 passes on 35 attempts on the year, taking in a limited role behind veteran starter DJ Uiagalelei as a true freshman. He threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions. Chiles also ran for 79 yards and three touchdowns.
Oregon State will take on Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 29, as SpartanMag.com projects more Beavers that the new Michigan State still have interest in, to enter the transfer portal following the end of their season.
HS Scouting Report
Late-blooming quarterback with physical upside and reactive quickness. Creative gunslinger who can make plays downfield with his arm or torch defenses with his legs. Stands 6-foot-4, 195 pounds with a 9.5-inch hand. Ball jumps out of his hand with an easy flick of the wrist. Operates as an efficient, accurate passer within the context of his high school offense. Excellent wiggle and body control with the ball in his hands.
A loose, fluid athlete who runs with body lean.Throws with a narrow base, which should be one of the simpler fixes for collegiate coaches. High ceiling player whose ball ballistics and overall athleticism translate to the next level. Missed much of his junior season with a broken wrist. Seeing a spike in his play and development as a senior. Shows reactive quickness against the pass rush and in making off-schedule plays. The youngest top quarterback in the 2023 cycle, with a September birthday. Did not turn 17 until a month into his senior season and is well over a year younger than many of his blue-chip peers. Starter on his high school basketball team as well.
