Jonathan Smith breaks down Michigan State's quarterback plan

Michigan State‘s future at quarterback for the 2024 season was likely solved by the NCAA Transfer Portal. There was still a need for depth at the position and luckily for new head coach Jonathan Smith, he signed two more QBs to his roster and has high hopes for the position in the offseason.

“We had, at one point in time, no one on scholarship in that room. So I almost wanted to flip that perspective as it’s actually a great opportunity to recruit,” Smith said during his early signing day press conference. “You’re trying to draw quarterbacks at that position and when there’s no one currently in the room, that’s attractive to players.

“Obviously, yes, we are gonna be adding through the transfer portal, and a lot of that becomes public and things. That’s a key piece at that position.”

In theory, the two quarterbacks — while not highly recruited — at least one of them will be the No. 2 option for the Spartans under center unless a more experienced transfer comes into the program. Still, Michigan State landed a commitment from sophomore QB Aidan Chiles, who played for Smith at Oregon State and is the presumed starter unless an even bigger name comes to town.

Despite the ranking next to the incoming true freshmen’s names, he sees upside in both incoming freshmen.

“Really excited about the two guys that we’re adding with Alessio [Milivojevic] and Ryland [Jessee],” Smith continued. “Ryland, we’ve known longer, we’ve been recruiting Ryland for a long time. Alessio, coach [Brian] Lindgren got out to the school and the house, got to meet him and the family. They were on visits. Good people. We feel both of those guys can play at a high level and both of them will be here in January.”

Milivojevic did not commit to Michigan State until three days before national signing day. For Jessee, a California native, was originally committed to Utah State. Jessee was recruited by Smith at Oregon State but never ended up getting a commitment. Smith made it known how important it was to have young QBs — let alone QBs in general — in his program.

All three of the new Spartan quarterbacks — Chiles, Jessee and Milivojevic — are set to enroll at Michigan State in January. 

Chiles was a four-star recruit and ranked the No. 160 overall recruit, per the 2023 On3 Industry Rankings. He originally committed to Oregon State under Smith after being heavily pursued by Washington and Oregon, among others, where he served as the backup to DJ Uiagalelei for his true freshman season.

He threw for 309 yards with four touchdowns and no turnovers. Chiles also ran for 79 yards and three touchdowns to cap his Oregon State career, and looks to build on that in East Lansing.