Jonathan Smith admits that QB1 is Aidan Chiles’ job to lose

Jonathan Smith brought in Aidan Chiles from Oregon State to lead Michigan State as the starting quarterback in 2024.

There are so many unknowns heading into the 2024 Michigan State football season. That, however, is expected with a new coach coming in and many players transferring out and into the program.

However, potentially the most talked about question this offseason is who the Spartans’ starting quarterback will be. I think all Spartans fans are expecting the same quarterback to get the nod, but there’s always the chance someone else could step up in the offseason and win the job.

Jonathan Smith essentially revealed who the Michigan State starting quarterback will be.

Who did Smith say will be the starter?

Smith says he'd call it an "upset" if Aidan Chiles isn't the starting QB this fall.

— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) March 18, 2024

I think all fans agree with this sentiment as well. Aidan Chiles not only has college experience but was ranked extremely high coming out of high school. That college experience is likely what will separate him from the others in the quarterback room, as that experience was with Smith at Oregon State.

Smith on QB Aidan Chiles: "He's a great person." Knows terminology from Oregon State with offensive staff. "And he understands its not just about him, it's about the guys around him and other guys in the (QB) room."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 18, 2024

Could anyone else challenge Chiles to be the starter?

Even though Jonathan Smith said it would be an “upset” if anyone other than Chiles won the job, that doesn’t mean someone else can’t step up.

Tommy Schuster is an experienced quarterback who transferred in from North Dakota and is someone who could push Chiles for the starting job. He spent five seasons with North Dakota and has thrown for over 2,300 yards three years in a row. That experience gives him a chance at beating out Chiles.

The Spartans also have two freshman quarterbacks coming in who could make some noise. Alessio Milivojevic and Ryland Jessee will have every chance to make their case this offseason. However, as true freshmen, it would be very shocking if either of them won the job.

To me, it’s clear that Chiles will be Michigan State’s starter in the fall. I won’t say it’s impossible for Schuster to win the job, but Smith is right to call it an “upset”.

Spring ball is about to begin, so I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot about these quarterbacks soon.