Jonathan Smith has complete faith that Aidan Chiles will take a major step

If you're Jonathan Smith, you have to be cautiously optimistic about the team you're putting together for the 2025 season. Michigan State has one of the brightest young quarterbacks in the country who has yet to really scratch the surface of his potential as well as some pieces around him that should make his life all that much easier.

Aidan Chiles is getting set to lead the Spartan offense for a second straight year and after throwing for over 2,400 yards and 13 touchdowns with 11 picks, the expectations have been tempered.

They shouldn't be, however.

The Spartans have brought in some talented receivers and running backs to help Chiles out and take some pressure off him while bolstering that offensive line through the transfer portal and bringing back potential All-Big Ten tight end Jack Velling. The sky should be the limit for this offense.

But after his turnover-riddled 2024 season, Chiles has a lot of doubters calling him "mediocre" and a "mid-tier" quaretrback in the Big Ten. It's fair, but it's only going to drive him to be better.

Smith, too, knows his QB1 needs to be much better and he believes in him enough to give him the reins again and let him kind of sling it more and utilize his running ability to create plays. The second-year Michigan State head coach gushed over Chiles at Big Ten Media Days.

As a quarterback coming off a disappointing season, having that faith from your head coach is the most important thing. The second the coach starts to question if you're the guy, that confidence is out the window. Fortunately, his coach believes he can be great and he surrounded Chiles with players who are only going to make his life easier.

While Smith said that the offensive line will be the most improved unit on the team this year, my money is on Chiles and that quarterback room.