Jonathan Smith updates Aidan Chiles’ progress at Michigan State (Video)

The countdown to kickoff is on for Michigan State football fans as they eagerly anticipate the first season under Jonathan Smith in East Lansing. Spartan fans are also counting down to when they get to finally see star transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles lace it up in Spartan Stadium for the first time.

It's hard to know what to expect from Chiles this season being that this is the first time he will be a starter in college, but the expectations are through the roof.

Podcast host Jim Rome recently had Smith on his show and Smith shared a lot about Chiles from how he's been doing since making the move to East Lansing and what their exectations are for him this year.

"He’s very familiar with the offense, the scheme, the terminology, the coaching, and that’s shown, that’s helped."

- Jonathan Smith

This right here is the thing that excites me the most about Chiles this offseason. Yes we all know how talented he is as an individual, but he can't do it on his own. So not only is Chiles using his one year of experience he has in Smith's offense to his personal advantage as he prepares for the season, but he's also using it to help bring everyone else on the team up to speed as well. Not only is that the sign of a true leader, but it shows that all he cares about is winning instead of any individual achievement.

The important thing however for Chiles is to not get complacent because he has experience with this coaching staff and offense already.

"We’re definitely looking for him to grow, just like everybody, but for him to take the next step.
"

- Jonathan Smith

That "next step" could very well be the difference between Chiles being just another average quarterback or one of the best in Michigan State history.

But the final thing Smith said that I think is the most important had to do with his experience at Oregon State. We all know Chiles was the Beavers' backup last season, and rival fans have been quick to point out that the impressive stats he accumulated last year are meaningless because they "came at the end of the game when the game was already over."

However, according to Smith, that isn't necessarily true.

"He got a hundred some odd snaps but a lot of those were pretty meaningful. We were putting him in the third series where the games still on the line."

- Jonathan Smith

To be honest, I kind of discredited Chiles' stats some too because I thought they came during garbage time as well. Thankfully I was wrong.

So the solid season Chiles had last year is in fact extremely meaningful and indicates to us what we can expect to see from him this season. And with a little improvement, I think he, and the rest of the team for that matter, will surprise a lot of people.