Latest news with #AidanChiles
USA Today
24-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Popular college football analyst leaves Aidan Chiles off top 10 Big Ten QBs ranking
Top 10 Big 10 quarterbacks in 2025. A popular college football analyst has released his top 10 quarterbacks of the Big Ten list, and the Spartans' Aidan Chiles didn't make the cut. Brandon Walker of Barstool Sports is one of the latest to power rank the signal callers of the 18 Big Ten schools, and he doesn't have Chiles in his top 10 list. In Walker's top 10 list, he elected to include the likes of Michigan's Bryce Underwood, Washington's Demond Williams and USC's Jordan Maiava over Chiles. Included below is a post from Walker with his top 10 preseason list for Big Ten quarterbacks: Walker's list has been comparable to many others I've came across this offseason, with Chiles in particular typically being listed outside the top 10. However, our own Cory Linsner recently released his own Big Ten quarterback rankings that had Chiles higher than many others on the national scale. Click here to read our Spartans Wire version of similar Big Ten quarterback power rankings. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What to know about Michigan State heading into 2025
Jonathan Smith struggled in his first year as head coach at Michigan State, a program looking to return to national prominence after the failed Mel Tucker experiment. The Spartans have quietly been rebuilding their roster back up with a healthy infusion of transfer portal pickups and some returning talent. Michigan State hasn't earned much buzz from a national level, and the group is embracing the underdog role, which Smith thrived in at Oregon State. Here's a look at the Spartans as the 2025 season draws closer. Advertisement 2024 in review Michigan State's Nathan Carter, center, and the team take the field before the football game against Purdue on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Michigan State struggled to take care of the ball last season and quarterback Aidan Chiles failed to live up to expectations after following Smith from Corvallis to East Lansing. The Spartans finished just 5-7 and failed to make a bowl game for the third consecutive season, leaving fans hungry for improvement. The offensive line struggled again, as it has for several years, but there's hope it'll take a step forward this fall. Nick Marsh was the team's leading receiver as a true freshman, and he'll have more help around him after some transfer additions. The signs are pointing toward a significantly improved offense in 2025 and a return to a bowl game. Head coach profile Michigan State's head coach Jonathan Smith looks on from the sideline during the third quarter in the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Smith was considered a big hire after the success he achieved with Oregon State, a program with fewer resources and worse facilities, but the move hasn't paid off yet. His six-year stint with the Beavers marked his first head coaching experience, and after going 2-10 in 2018, he led the team to steady improvement. Oregon State improved to 5-7 in 2019, took a slight step back during the COVID-19 season and then went 7-6 in 2021 with the team's first bowl appearance since 2013. The team peaked at 10-3 in 2022, followed by an 8-5 campaign before he left for Michigan State. His experience rebuilding a program from the basement of a conference should come in handy with the Spartans. Advertisement Top offensive player Nov 30, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) is upside-down after catching a first quarter pass against Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Al-Shadee Salaam (21) at Spartan Stadium. Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) is in pursuit. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images Marsh was a highly coveted 4-star recruit who earned praise for his elite track speed. The Spartans are rumored to have dropped a large NIL bag to land Marsh, and the investment paid off with 41 receptions, 649 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman. With an improved offensive line and more targets to take the pressure off, he should see elevated success this season, potentially eclipsing 1,000 yards. Top defensive players Michigan State's Nikai Martinez, right, tackles Rutgers' Ja'shon Benjamin during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Michigan State struggled defensively last season but one of the bright spots was safety Nikai Martinez, who transferred in from UCF and had a seamless transition to Big Ten play. Martinez amassed 51 tackles and two interceptions last season, including at least three tackles in every game. Entering his senior season, Martinez is viewed as one of the veteran leaders of the unit. Advertisement 2025 schedule Aug. 29 (Fri.) vs. Western Michigan Sept. 6 vs. Boston College Sept. 13 vs. Youngstown State Sept. 20 at USC Oct. 4 at Nebraska Oct. 11 vs. UCLA Oct. 18 at Indiana Oct. 25 vs. Michigan Nov. 1 at Minnesota Nov. 15 vs Penn State Nov. 22 at Iowa Nov. 29 vs. Maryland The battle for the Land-Grant Trophy returns, with Michigan State hosting Penn State after the two took a gap year in 2024. The two have a surprisingly even history, with the Nittany Lions leading the Spartans 19-18-1 in the all-time series, including winning the last two. This year's matchup will pit an improved Michigan State offense against one of the top defenses in the country, although it's unlikely the Spartans' defense will be able to match up against Penn State's rushing attack when the two clash in mid-November. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: What to know about Michigan State
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan State Quarterback Aidan Chiles Balances a High Ceiling and an Underdog Mentality
Michigan State Quarterback Aidan Chiles Balances a High Ceiling and an Underdog Mentality originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Michigan State football quarterback Aidan Chiles is entering his second season in East Lansing after transferring ahead of his sophomore year. Advertisement The rising junior struggled with inconsistency last season, but things are clicking on offense going into the 2025-26 season. Chiles is expected to rise to the challenge with the talent he has to work with, but he's still embracing an underdog mentality despite this high ceiling. Michigan State football quarterback Aidan Gilligan-Imagn Images As a sophomore, Chiles completed 192 passes for 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging a 59 pass percentage. Chiles also rushed 97 times for a net 225 yards, scoring three rushing touchdowns. The first half of the season was when he struggled the most, getting intercepted eight times — twice in the first two games each. He turned it around after the halfway mark and was picked off three times, once against Iowa and twice against Indiana. Advertisement Chiles has more weapons to utilize in the 2025-26 season. The offensive line, in particular, is healthier and the wide receiver corps is deeper. Returner Nick Marsh and transfers, Chrishon McCray and Omari Kelly, are expected to lead the wideout group. Marsh set true freshman records for most receiving yards and receptions in one season, and also led the Spartans in receiving yards. McCray transferred from Kent State where he led the team in receiving yards and touchdown completions. At Middle Tennessee State, Kent he had 869 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterbacks coach Jon Boyer worked with Chiles when he was at Oregon State. Now reuniting in East Lansing, the junior feel comfortable both at Michigan State and with a prior coach. However, Chiles also knows that this is a make or break year for him. Michigan State is considered an underdog, and this is something he's ready to embrace and use to his advantage. Chiles told Spartan Mags' Kenny Jordan that he knows the pressure's on for the whole team in 2025-26. Advertisement The ceiling is high for Chiles and he's even expected to be in the top 20 quarterbacks in 2025-26. Even knowing that the potential is there and attainable, he's keeping a chip-on-the-shoulder attitude to feed off of it and make necessary improvements to the program as a whole. Related: Three-Star Cornerback Welcomed by Michigan State Football Fans Upon Commitment Related: Spartans Lose Class of 2026 Recruiting Battle for Coveted Offensive Tackle This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Breaking down the 10 most intriguing players on Michigan State football's roster
Michigan State football has entered the summer and is gearing up for the second season under Jonathan Smith, one that will set the ground work for the ascending program that he plans to build in East Lansing. In 2024, the Spartans fell short of the expectation, going 5-7 and not making a postseason appearance. In 2025, the bar has been set higher, and the Spartans will need to make their push towards a postseason appearance. Earlier, Spartans Wire broke down the top 20 players on the roster, showing that there is talent on the roster that will allow the Spartans to be able to make a strong push at the added expectations the roster has this season. While, the players were ranked, it is interesting to look at the roster from another aspect, and identify who the most intriguing players on the roster are. Here, we break down the most intriguing players on the MSU roster: QB Aidan Chiles This list will start off with the quarterback and the face of the program, Aidan Chiles. So, what makes the Spartans quarterback so intriguing? Chiles has all of the talent in the world, and is recognized as someone that could be a superstar, but he needs to prove it on the field. The first half of 2024 saw a turnover prone quarterback that made a ton of mistakes, but the back half of the year saw a much improved quarterback, despite the roster depleting around him. Now, it is time for him to come out in 2025 and prove that he is the quarterback that is worthy of all of the hype. OT Conner Moore Conner Moore comes to Michigan State via Montana State, where he was an FCS All-American and FCS Freshman All-American. He is slated to be the Spartans starting right tackle in 2025. So, what makes him so intriguing? A player with so much talent and potential, making the way from the FCS level to the Big Ten level of power conference football is a massive jump. Despite how pursued he was in the portal, with the Spartans having to defeat Ohio State for his services, there is no guarantee that the potential will lead to success. Moore is going to have a humongous role with the Spartans and his ability to step up to the plate, and excel in 2025. RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver There has been a lot of buzz around sophomore running backs Brandon Tullis and Makhi Frazier, and what they are expected to bring to the table in 2025. What people forget, the Spartans added Sacramento State running back transfer Elijah Tau-Tolliver. Similar to Moore, he is making the jump from the FCS to the FBS level. After a few years of struggles, he broke out in 2024, leading to his transfer up. Like Cam Skattebo before him, he is a Sac State running back heading up a level, and it is intriguing what the Spartans can receive with the veteran running back. DT Grady Kelly This past season, Kelly made the move from Colorado State to Florida State, where he was one of the most coveted prospects in the transfer portal. Then, at Florida State, he was caught up in the massive disappointment that was the 2024 Seminoles season. Now, Kelly has made the move back north to MSU, and the most intriguing aspect is whether or not he can live up to the prospect that was so coveted just last offseason. K Martin Connington/Tarik Ahmetbasic Michigan State had a gift at kicker the last couple of years, with Jonathan Kim being one of the country's best kickers. Now, with Kim gone, the Spartans will be turning to a new player to assume that role as the team' kicker. The two options include Martin Connington and Tarik Ahembasic, who will battle it out in training camp, and look to earn the starting job. Can either live up near the level of Kim? It will be intriguing to see. LB Semaj Bridgeman The rare Michigan to Michigan State transfer, Bridgeman has been raved about behind close doors, but injuries derailed his chance at playing in 2024. In 2025, though, Bridgeman might get his chance to make the impact that is expected from the staff, but unknown to the fanbase. Will the practice field translate to the game field, that is the intriguing question that everyone is going to anxiously await. S Justin Denson Jr. A highly coveted recruit in the 2024 recruiting class, the former 4-star safety got a good run as a true freshman, grading as a 64.1 overall player on Pro Football Focus, while earning a 64.4 in coverage and 62.8 in run defense. This upcoming year, Denson could be a sleeper to gain a significant role on the defense in 2025. With there being an open spot in the defensive backfield, and a competition gearing up for it, it would not be surprising if Denson won the spot, and it is intriguing if he is going to step up into the role in a massive way. C Matt Gulbin While he is one of the most anticipated players to join the Spartans this offseason, Matt Gulbin was an All-ACC player and one of the highest graded players in the conference per Pro Football Focus. What makes this addition so intriguing? All of Gulbin's success has come at the guard position, but in East Lansing, he is going to be lining up as a center. That change in position makes it interesting whether or not the center will continue to have the dominating interior offensive line kills that he had at Wake. OL Rakeem Johnson A true freshman from Boise, Idaho, Johnson is probably the most underrated target that the Spartans have brought in during the Jonathan Smith era. So much so, after some injury problems, Johnson got the start at left tackle against Ohio State as a true freshman, where he held his own against the National Champion defensive line. Now, he is not slated to be a starter in 2025, but with how strong of a player Johnson is expected to be, it will be intriguing to see whether or not he is able to force his way into the playing group. TE Michael Masunas Michael Masunas burst onto the scene in 2024, being a sleeper at the tight end position and making a massive impact for the Spartans. Unfortunately, a season ending injury ended his year after just four games. It is intriguing to figure out whether or not Masunus will be able to return to form following the injury, giving MSU a one-two punch at tight end with Jack Velling. MSU OC Brian Lindgren loves two tight end sets, so being able to have Masunas return to form would be massive. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan State Spartans Quarterback Aidan Chiles is Expected To Have a Big 2025 Season With All Offensive Pieces Falling in Place
Michigan State Spartans Quarterback Aidan Chiles is Expected To Have a Big 2025 Season With All Offensive Pieces Falling in Place originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith is in his second year of revamping the Spartans' program. Looking ahead into the upcoming season, it seems as though the offense is finally taking shape. Advertisement Starting quarterback Aidan Chiles is expecting to prove fans and critics wrong in 2025-26. He won't be a head-turning star, but there's more potential that will be unlocked. Michigan State football quarterback Aidan King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK Chiles, like Smith, is also entering his second year at Michigan State. As a sophomore, he threw for 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns on 192 completions. His passing rate came to 59.4 percent by the end of the season. The rising junior also tallied 97 rushing attempts for 225 yards and three touchdowns. The biggest issue in Chiles' game is refinement and consistency. He threw 11 interceptions last season, leading the Big Ten. However, entering the second half of the season, the improvement started to show as he only threw three. Advertisement His overall skill, though, has often been overlooked. After not making Josh Pate's Top 10 Big Ten Preseason Quarterback Rankings, it's clear Chiles will have something to prove. The other pieces of Michigan State's offense are ready to help him too. The first: quarterbacks coach Jon Boyer. Boyer worked with Chiles when they were both at Oregon State, and he joined the Spartans' staff for the spring. The quarterback's development already started, and it was noticeable. "It's just amazing to see the growth that I gained and everything I've learned just being with him, just learning from the past few weeks being with him," Chiles said in late April. Advertisement The second: Chiles' offensive line. Adding transfers — Oregon State's Luka Vincic, Wake Forest's Matt Gublin and Montana State's Conner Moore — will help stabilize the starting five. Chiles should have more time to make decisions in the pocket and also put together a solid run game of his own. The last piece of the offensive puzzle Chiles will have to work with: wide receivers. Returner Nick Marsh had 41 receptions last season for 649 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the Spartans in receiving yards. Smith added Middle Tennessee State's Omari Kelly, Akron's Chrishon McCray, Valdosta State's Rodney Bullard, and Central Michigan's Evan Boyd from the transfer portal to boost the position's depth. Advertisement As Marsh enters his second season with Michigan State and Boyd will start his Spartan career as a redshirt sophomore, the other three transfers are bringing veteran experience to the group. Kelly is entering is senior year, Bullard will be a redshirt junior, and Boyd is a rising redshirt senior. The offense starts with the offensive line, and Michigan State's is already cleaner than last season. Chiles himself has become more consistent in the offseason, and now he has stronger wide receivers to target. As said before, he sophomore quarterback won't be turning heads, but he'll definitely has all the right things going for him next season. Related: Michigan State Decommit Teases Possibility of Joining Big Ten Rival Related: Michigan State Football Misses Out on Class of 2026 Safety to ACC School This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
