MSU's Coach Smith Likes What He's Seen From QB Schuster

Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith recently gave praise to transfer quarterback Tommy Schuster.

Sep 3, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks quarterback Tommy Schuster (2) / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith knows what he has at quarterback with sophomore Aidan Chiles ahead of the pack as the presumptive starter.

Chiles followed Smith from Oregon State and has garnered more hype than any Spartan quarterback in recent memory -- without playing a single snap for the Green and White.

However, Chiles is not the only quarterback that is impressing in spring practice.

While meeting with the media Tuesday, Smith discussed sixth-year transfer quarterback Tommy Schuster, who played five seasons at North Dakota before transferring to Michigan State in January. During his time with the Fighting Hawks, Schuster accumulated 9,075 passing yards, 63 touchdowns and 843 completions, all of which were school records.

"[Schuster is] poised, made some throws, understands the offense, been smart with the ball -- not turning it over," Smith said. "We're pleased with him so far."

Smith heaped praise on his entire QB room.

"[Schuster has] been making plays, the two young freshman [Alessio Milivojevic and Ryland Jesse] have made some plays," Smith said. "We feel like that group has been working really well together."

Last season, Schuster was fifth among FCS leaders in completion percentage at 70.7, 16th in passing efficiency with a 153.1 rating and 25th in passing touchdowns with 19. Schuster started the last 42 games of his career in Grand Forks.

A Michigan native, Schuster played at Chippewa Valley High School, just outside of Detroit in nearby Macomb Township, where he finished with a 30-6 record as a starter. He was named Michigan's 2018 Associated Press Player of the Year after leading Chippewa Valley to a victory against Clarkston in the Division I state championship game at Ford Field. His performance earned him national attention, as his record-setting 14 completions in as many attempts for 209 passing yards and two touchdowns earned him National Player of the Week honors from USA Today.

Schuster is considered to be the likely second-string quarterback behind Chiles. The North Dakota transfer has one year of eligibility left.

Schuster was rated a 3-star transfer by 247Sports and was ranked 39th among quarterbacks in the transfer portal.

The Michigan State Spartan Football Spring Green and White Game (Spartan Showcase) will be held at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, on April 20, 2024, at 2 p.m.

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