Jonathan Smith on Aidan Chiles: 'The game kind of comes natural to him'

Jonathan Smith knows what he has in quarterback Aidan Chiles but the Michigan State quarterback is constantly evolving.

Following Smith from Oregon State, Chiles could be a difference maker for the Spartans, who hit the reset button this offseason. Smith turned around a program at Oregon State and hopes to do the same in East Lansing.

Chiles, a natural thrower of the football, can open up the offense with his dual threat ability and it’s only gotten better in the eyes of Smith.

“It just jumps out to me, he’s talented, but he’s instinctive and the game kind of comes natural to him,” Smith said at Big Ten Media Days at Sirius XM. “And so we were feeling that way early in fall camp … he was gonna be the backup. You didn’t love the idea that he had no experience being the backup (and being) one play away (from getting in) and so we just got into this rhythm of playing him in the third series and he had a lot of success. It was meaningful time.”

Smith referenced Chiles’ role at Oregon State behind starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. The latter transferred to Florida State for his final season.

But as Smith alluded to, Chiles is not a one-trick pony.

“Yeah, you could still open it up a little bit, play in the shotgun and he’s more than capable to do some other stuff,” Smith said. “So anyway, what we saw through that season, with Aidan, we continue to feel confident to put them in the game.”

Aidan Chiles ready to lead Michigan State in 2024

Chiles played nine games last season and finished 24-of-35 passing (68.6%) for 309 yards and four touchdowns. He added 17 carries for 79 yards and three touchdowns.

As a member of the Class of 2022, Chiles was a four-star recruit out of Downey (Calif.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 13 overall prospect in the state, the No. 12 quarterback in the class and the No. 160 overall prospect in the class.

“It’s different,” Chiles said, regarding being a starting quarterback versus backing up someone else. “Really, you don’t even see it inside of football. Inside of football, it was the same way last year, people still as you questions. People still talk to you. Even in the backup role. But just being in that starting role, it’s been a learning experience, it’s been fun. I’m grateful to be in this position. 

“But the biggest thing is like, everybody is watching you. Like, I saw it today. I see my face every five minutes. I can’t do anything, mess myself up. I really just have to be on my Ps and Qs, be able to maintain my composure throughout the game, throughout practice, throughout everything, because everybody is watching you.”