Michigan State QBs coach Jon Boyer refining 'elite talent' in Aidan Chiles

EAST LANSING, Mich. - At the first scrimmage of the spring, last weekend, Aidan Chiles delivered on some of the areas of emphasis, first-year Michigan State quarterbacks coach Jon Boyer said. Boyer wants the junior quarterback to improve his poise in the pocket, and ability to read defenses. Heading into Saturday’s second scrimmage of the spring, I asked Boyer if Chiles demonstrated progress in those areas during the first scrimmage. “Yes,” Boyer said emphatically. “And the biggest one right now is pocket presence, being able to stay in the pocket, being poised, trusting the protection, keeping your eyes downfield. And you’re seeing that.” No statistics were made available from the closed scrimmages. Chiles (6-3, 217, Jr., Long Beach, Calif.) is looking to improve on his 13-11 TD/INT ratio, and his 59 percent completion accuracy. Pass protection, wide receiver separation and run game need to improve around him at Michigan State, over the 2024 model.  In the meantime, Boyer feels improvement in the pocket will take Chiles, and the offense, a long way. “The pocket awareness, just the subtle movements,” Boyer said. “He’s so long, so when he moves, he covers ground. So we’re really working on kick (checkdown) and getting rid of the ball.  “With his height, his skillset, his arm strength, we get that tightened up, and then with his ability to improvise, I think we’ve got a pretty neat weapon.” Boyer worked with Chiles during his freshman season at Oregon State in 2023. Chiles was elated to have Boyer join offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren and provide an extra set of coaching eyes. Boyer felt he needed to re-establish that connection, and also connect with reserve redshirt freshmen Alessio Milivojevic and Ryland Jessee. “I did have prior relationship with Aiden, but I still have to earn their trust,” Boyer said. (MORE INSIDE SPARTANMAG)