Michigan State football has hired their guy and Jonathan Smith should absolutely be bringing some players with him.
On Saturday, Michigan State football made it official, signing Jonathan Smith to be the 26th coach in the program’s storied history. Coach Smith walks in to a team that has few players locked in as starters. Looking at Oregon State’s recruiting class and underclassmen, who are a few early targets for Smith to try to bring with him to East Lansing?
Note: Damien Martinez will not be listed here, as his X account makes it obvious that he will not be joining Smith in the Big Ten.
Aiden Chiles, QB, Freshman
Aiden Chiles was the No. 58 prospect in the nation in last year’s recruiting class and the seventh-ranked quarterback. Additionally, he was the seventh-best prospect out of California. Chiles sat behind Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei this season, as DJU led the team to an 8-4 regular season record and the Beavers’ highest ranking since Smith himself was the quarterback for Oregon State. Chiles is a 6-foot-4 dual-threat quarterback, with the ability to stretch the defense. Serving as Uiagalelei’s backup, Chiles is 24-for-35 with 309 yards and four touchdowns on the season. On the ground, he added 17 carries for 79 yards and three more touchdowns.
At Michigan State, Chiles would enter into a rich battle to start the 2024 season for the Spartans. The Spartans have three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, with all three receiving reps this season. Noah Kim started the year but did not impress and was injured shortly after losing the starting job. True freshman Sam Leavitt and redshirt freshman Katin Houser are the main competition here. Houser has shown flashes, including nearly 250 yards in a win against Indiana last week. Houser was a member of the 2022 class, ranking No. 225 in the nation and the No. 11 quarterback in the nation.
Leavitt received considerably fewer snaps but led touchdown drives late against both Minnesota and Nebraska. Leavitt was in the same class as Chiles, with Leavitt being the No. 312 prospect in the nation and 21st-ranked quarterback.
If he elects to join Smith, Chiles would be coming in with current commit Henry Hasselbeck, rated No. 1,207 in the 2024 class.
Chiles has impressive highlights for his limited time this year, and I think he would be the betting favorite if Smith convinces the California native to journey out to East Lansing.
Rustin Young, IOL, HS Senior
Anyone who watched Michigan State football this year knows that the Spartan offensive line was bad. Rustin Young, the No. 210 prospect in the nation and No. 22 interior offensive lineman, would be a slam-dunk option to bring with Smith. Young is currently the headliner of the 2024 class for the Beavers. It will be hard to convince the Hawai’i native to cross the country, as opposed to the smaller trip to Oregon.
Young would be joining an underclassmen-heavy, but unproven offensive line core in East Lansing. Ashton Lepo, Ethan Boyd, Kristian Phillips, Geno VanDeMark, Dallas Fincher, and Kevin Wigenton II all showed flashes this season, but no one secured a spot in the future.
Michigan State is currently bringing in 2 offensive linemen in the 2024 class, twins Mercer and Charlton Luniewski. Both are rated well below that of Young.
As for things going against the Spartans, the Midwestern-located East Lansing does not have the West Coast draw for the Hawaiian Young. Additionally, the Oregon State partnership with the Mountain West will give Young a chance to see family during the season.
After the Spartans surrendered seven sacks to Penn State on Friday night, an improvement is needed.
With the transfer portal opening in a few short days and the end of the recruiting cycle a few weeks after that, Smith has a lot of work to do. I am excited for the future in East Lansing. With the addition of Chiles or Young, I would be even more excited.
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