Aidan Chiles and Nick Marsh of Michigan State develop their connection
Detroit — Aidan Chiles knew exactly what he was getting into when he decided to transfer to Michigan State after last season, but those who know Chiles best say he’s not one to back down from a challenge.
Jonathan Smith said in the spring it would be a “disappointment” if Chiles wasn’t the starting quarterback in the fall. In that role, he will be tasked with leading a revamped offense that struggled to find rhythm in 2023, and all eyes will be on him once he steps on the field.
You can only talk about pressure, right?
But the bigger stage and high expectations don’t seem to impress Chiles.
“It’s no different. I mean, at the end of the day, it’s about football,” Chiles said Sunday at a youth football camp he co-hosted with Michigan quarterback Alex Orji in Detroit. “I’m here to lead, I’m here to play football, and I’m also here to learn. I’m here to get to know my teammates and learn about the culture and how everything is supposed to run. I’m here to play games and win on Saturdays. That’s really what I’m here for.”
Chiles has already earned a reputation among his teammates as a level-headed player and leader who actively seeks to get to know his new teammates and mentor younger players.
Wide receiver Nick Marsh is one of the players Chiles has taken under his wing.
Marsh and Chiles became fast friends this spring, in part because Chiles knows what it’s like to be a 17-year-old early enrollee among grown men who are at different stages in life. Marsh, a four-star prospect from River Rouge, believes his “more mature mindset” has made the transition to college life easier for him, but he also said it’s nice to have Chiles and seniors like Jordan Turner, Maverick Hansen and Montorie Foster Jr. helping him navigate his way as well.
“I came in with my head down, you know, I just kept my head down and worked hard,” Marsh said.
Marsh’s mentality and work ethic impressed Chiles. The two trained together all summer and spent some of their free time together. They now joke that they are twins, and Marsh even said they have been mistaken for each other before.
“(This summer) actually went really well, I was rotating around a lot, just doing a lot of reps and feeling comfortable with Aidan as well,” Marsh said.
Chiles believes the bond between quarterback and wide receiver translates to the field, and Marsh agrees. He said they’re already well-tuned to one another, which makes him even more excited for the next month.
“I can’t wait to get to fall camp and get my first appearance of the season,” Marsh said. “I’m excited about it.”
Together, Marsh and Chiles could be the future faces of Michigan State’s offense.
Marsh played with the second unit during the Spring Showcase in April. The Spartans also welcomed back Foster, redshirt sophomore Jaron Glover, redshirt sophomore Antonio Gates Jr. and redshirt senior Alante Brown. But if Marsh stays true to his style and continues to build the connection with Chiles, he could work his way up the rankings.
“Nick can play a big role this fall and it will be fun to watch him grow,” Chiles said.
“I just want to be the best version of myself, put in the work and see what happens,” Marsh said. “I’m just ready to compete this season. I have a lot to prove in the first season, so I’m trying to compete and make a name for myself.”
With this attitude and his outstanding skills, Marsh could do just that.
@madkenney
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