Michigan State Quarterback Aidan Chiles Balances a High Ceiling and an Underdog Mentality

As a sophomore, Chiles completed 192 passes for 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging a 59 pass percentage. Chiles also rushed 97 times for a net 225 yards, scoring three rushing touchdowns.

The first half of the season was when he struggled the most, getting intercepted eight times — twice in the first two games each. He turned it around after the halfway mark and was picked off three times, once against Iowa and twice against Indiana.

Chiles has more weapons to utilize in the 2025-26 season. The offensive line, in particular, is healthier and the wide receiver corps is deeper. Returner Nick Marsh and transfers, Chrishon McCray and Omari Kelly, are expected to lead the wideout group.

Marsh set true freshman records for most receiving yards and receptions in one season, and also led the Spartans in receiving yards. McCray transferred from Kent State where he led the team in receiving yards and touchdown completions. At Middle Tennessee State, Kent he had 869 yards and four touchdowns.

Quarterbacks coach Jon Boyer worked with Chiles when he was at Oregon State. Now reuniting in East Lansing, the junior feel comfortable both at Michigan State and with a prior coach. 

However, Chiles also knows that this is a make or break year for him. Michigan State is considered an underdog, and this is something he's ready to embrace and use to his advantage. Chiles told Spartan Mags' Kenny Jordan that he knows the pressure's on for the whole team in 2025-26. 

The ceiling is high for Chiles and he's even expected to be in the top 20 quarterbacks in 2025-26. Even knowing that the potential is there and attainable, he's keeping a chip-on-the-shoulder attitude to feed off of it and make necessary improvements to the program as a whole.