Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles Talks Open Starting Job

Oregon State transfer Aidan Chiles is the favorite to win the Michigan State's starting quarterback job, but that's not where the sophomore's focus lies...

Earlier this offseason, Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith did not deny transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles was the favorite to start for the Spartans this fall, stating it would be an "upset" if one of MSU's other QBs won the job.

The quarterback competition, which began in earnest last month with the start of spring practice, likely comes down to Chiles and North Dakota transfer Tommy Schuster, who played a ton of football as a four-year starter at the FCS level. Three weeks into spring practice, however, Chiles' focus is not on the QB competition.

"I don't really think about it too much," the sophomore told reporters last week. "I came here to compete, I came here to play football and I came to be on the biggest stage. So, at the end of the day, I'm just here. It is what it is."

As a true freshman in 2023, Chiles got extensive experience playing behind Oregon State's starting quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, appearing in nine games and throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns, while completing 24-of-35 pass attempts (68.6%) without an interception. A dual-threat with the ball in his hands, the then-freshman added 79 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries.

While he's thankful for that experience, Chiles' approach to spring practice has been no different than a year ago, despite the expectation for him to win the starting job.

"At the end of the day, there's really no difference," he said. "I mean, at the end of the day, I'm still here to play football. I was playing football last year and I'm playing football now. Just have fun with it."

Instead, Chiles is focused on his own growth, both as a quarterback and a young adult. The sophomore wants to see improvement in his ability to move on to the next play and in his approach to preparation.

"I don't know how it's going to look in fall camp, but my ability to have amnesia last year, compared to this year, I want to see the difference," Chiles said. "I want to see the growth, and I also want to see the maturity in myself. Like, last year, it was difficult for me to mature simply because I knew I didn't have that starting role. So, I was trying to play the role of a backup, but at the same time I wasn't doing everything that I needed to do to be the backup. So, I just want to see the maturity in myself and the growth."

The Michigan State Spartan Football Spring Green and White Game (Spring 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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