Saying that Aidan Chiles' first year with Michigan State didn't go quite as planned would be a massive understatement as the Oregon State transfer couldn't seem to avoid the turnover bug.
In his first year as a collegiate starting quarterback, the former No. 1 transfer passer finished with 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. He also completed just 59 percent of his passes which just isn't going to cut it in the Big Ten.
Jonathan Smith still placed all his trust in his quarterback and has voiced his belief in Chiles throughout the offseason and now teammates are doing the same.
Chiles is considered one of the most improved players this offseason and his teammates and coaches have all said that he's playing like he means business. That improvement should help him reach his full potential.
The recognition is starting to roll in as he was named a team captain earlier this week, and then on Tuesday, he was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list.
QB1 pic.twitter.com/89qMmwXBxD
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) August 19, 2025
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually to the nation's top upperclassman quarterback, and the last Spartan to win it was Connor Cook back in 2015.
Chiles has the potential to be one of the nation's top quarterbacks, but he has to make better decisions, and it sounds like he's been working on that, as well as his consistency, all offseason. If he lives up to his potential, he could be a legitimate first-team All-Big Ten quarterback.
For now, however, he'll have to play the role of underdog as every rival fan is doubting him.