Michigan State's Jonathan Smith Pleased With Quarterback Progression

Not many head football coaches take on a new job without a quarterback, but that's essentially the situation Michigan State's Jonathan Smith walked into in East Lansing.

Within four days of Smith's introductory press conference, the Spartans had lost 2023 scholarship quarterbacks Noah Kim, Katin Houser and Sam Leavitt to the transfer portal. Fortunately, Smith and offensive coordinator/QB coach Brian Lindgren got right to work filling the vacant quarterback room, adding Oregon State transfer Aiden Chiles, North Dakota transfer Tommy Schuster and two incoming freshman recruits in Alessio Milivojevic and Ryland Jessee.

Fast forward a couple months, and Smith is pleased with how his quarterbacks are progressing during Michigan State's spring practice.

"That group in general — Tommy's been making some plays, the two young freshmen have made some plays," Smith said. "We feel like that group's been working really well together."

The addition of Schuster, a four-year starter at the FCS level, has been one of the most overlooked transfer additions Michigan State made this offseason. Much of that is due to Chiles, who is widely regarded as the Spartans' future starting quarterback and brings with him the pedigree of a former Top 150, four-star prospect. Yet, Schuster's experience at North Dakota could be invaluable both for Michigan State and Chiles.

"He does [look experienced]," Smith said of Schuster. "He's poised, made some throws, understands the offense, been smart with the ball, doesn't turn the thing over that much at all. So, we're pleased with him so far."

Schuster appeared in 45 games during his five-year career at North Dakota, including 42 starts for the Fighting Hawks. He's thrown for 9,075 yards and 63 touchdowns while completing 843-of-1,252 pass attempts (67%) during his career. That's experience that can't be bought. It's been earned.

Still, Chiles has some advantages of his own that will be difficult for any of MSU's other quarterbacks to overcome. Having played for Smith one year at Oregon State, he's already intimately familiar with the offensive system that Smith and Lindgren brought to East Lansing. He's also a superb athlete, capable of giving opponents fits with both his arm and his legs.

"I think he's been solid," Smtih said of Chiles. "You know, the offense part hasn't been hard on him, but just getting timing with [new wide receivers] — he's working at it. I think he's done solid so far."

Chiles was the crown jewel of Smith's 2023 recruiting class at Oregon State, and got his feet wet with nine appearances for the Beavers last season. The then-true freshman threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns while completing 24-of-35 pass attempts, without an interception. The freshman added 79 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 17 carries.

Smith said there are noticeable difference between the young kid who early enrolled for spring practice at Oregon State, and the player that Chiles is now.

"It's a lot different," Smith said. "He's so much more comfortable. I mean, physically, he's bigger. He's about 20 pounds heavier, so that's a difference."

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