HC hire pays off for SMU in landing top transfer QB

Quarterback Aidan Chiles is heading to MSU. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

HC hire pays off for Michigan State in landing top transfer QB

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 12/14/23

When Michigan State hired Jonathan Smith to replace recently fired Mel Tucker as the head football coach, the school likely expected him secure a new starting quarterback for 2024.

After QBs Katin Houser, Noah Kim and Sam Leavitt all entered the transfer portal two weeks ago, the Spartans were linked to UCLA five-star freshman Dante Moore, who’s also in the portal. But MSU’s QB search is officially over.

The Spartans got good news on Thursday, landing Oregon State signal-caller Aidan Chiles, the No. 1-ranked QB in the transfer portal according to 247Sports. The 6-foot-3 freshman is reunited with Smith, who recruited him last year and spent the last six seasons as the head coach at Oregon State.

“It was ultimately an easy decision, simply because I’m comfortable with the coaching staff that I had previously committed to at Oregon State,” Chiles told On3. “I know what they can do. I trust in the things being built at Michigan State and I know that big things can happen fast there. Also, I want to be a part of something as big as this and play on this stage.”

Latest on the QB portal shakeups from College Football Live w/⁦@kelseyriggs⁩. Aidan Chiles picks Michigan State. Another tea leaf points to Dylan Raiola at Nebraska and Drew Pyne’s circuitous route back to Notre Dame for his degree. pic.twitter.com/vsqr6wmzsk
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 14, 2023

Chiles appeared in nine games for the Beavers, completing 68.6% of his 35 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 79 yards rushing and three more scores on the ground.

He plans to enroll at Michigan State in January with three years of eligibility remaining. He can play right away in 2024, and he should have an easy path to the starting job with no other scholarship quarterbacks on the MSU roster.

Chiles’ addition benefits Michigan State beyond just filling the most important position on its depth chart. Now, Smith can hit the recruiting trail and pitch other possible recruits on playing with one of the top QBs from last year’s recruiting class — something Chiles admitted he’s more than happy to do.

“We can start from scratch; people can see what we build,” Chiles told ESPN. “I'll tell them, ‘I'm coming here. I'd love to play with you.’”

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