On Monday afternoon, the news that every Michigan State fan was expecting finally hit the presses: Aidan Chiles intends to enter his name into the transfer portal.
While the portal doesn’t open until Jan. 2, Chiles has revealed that he will be entering his name into the portal when the window does open. He spent two seasons at Michigan State where he played rather inconsistently, losing his starting job in 2025 to redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic.
Now that he’s going in the portal, there are going to be a number of potential suitors looking to try and fix him and mold him into a Power Four starter and NFL prospect.
These are the three potential landing spots that make the most sense to me.
1. Arizona State
To me, this makes the most sense.
Arizona State wasn’t on Chiles’ radar as a high school recruit, but the fact that the coach who recruited him hard at Oregon is now leading the Sun Devils should help their chances. Kenny Dillingham is expected to remain with Arizona State next season, although Michigan is making a strong push for the third-year head coach.
If he sticks with Arizona State, I could see Dillingham making a run at Chiles, especially after losing former Spartan Sam Leavitt to the transfer portal. Could he go for another Michigan State quarterback? That would be a fun storyline.
Plus, this is closer to home for Chiles and he’d play for a coach that would undoubtedly develop him in a hurry.
2. USC
Lincoln Riley really wanted Chiles when he was in the transfer portal a couple of years ago after Smith was hired by Michigan State, but he ultimately decided to stick with his head coach in East Lansing.
Now, Riley could make another run at him if Jayden Maiava decides to enter the NFL draft. This potential landing spot all depends on Maiava and whatever he chooses. If he heads to the NFL, I could see Riley taking a chance on Chiles — he did light up the USC defense earlier this year.
If anyone can turn his career around, I would have faith in Riley doing just that.
3. Oregon State
I almost put San Diego State here because he was recruited by the Aztecs in high school and he’s from California, but I think he has a better chance of going back to where he started than he does playing for a Group of Five program. Still, I wouldn’t be shocked either way.
Chiles got his start at Oregon State under Smith, and he could opt to head back “home” to finish his collegiate career. That would be one of the most poetic endings possible.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure he’d have a ton of interest if Smith isn’t there to coach him.