Chiles’ first season in green and white showed flashes of potential, particularly in games against Maryland and Iowa, where he combined for 619 passing yards and four touchdowns.

At other times, Chiles struggled. In the final five weeks of the season, he averaged just 189 yards per game, despite completing over 60% of his passes. Yet in just over a year on campus, Chiles has connected with the community by visiting local elementary schools, hosting youth football camps and earning the role of captain in his first year at MSU.

"Last year I had a role that a lot of people would've wanted to be in, and I don't think last year I was the leader that I should've been," Chiles said during spring practice in April. "This year, I think I'm taking that next step as a leader, really instead of talking about it, just doing it. Taking action and doing what leaders do. Leading by example, leading vocally. I can always lead and help around as much as I can. Really, just be a second coach basically."

Still, Chiles won’t be the only player who determines the outcome of this pivotal season for MSU. The Spartans lost several key contributors to graduation, including standout running backs Nate Carter and Kay’ron Lynch-Adams, linebacker Jordan Turner, and wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr., among others.

Smith and the Spartans turned to the transfer portal this offseason to fill those gaps, bringing in talent from across the country. According to On3, MSU ranks 21st nationally in transfer signings and eighth in the Big Ten. Michigan and Ohio State rank 11th and 10th nationally, respectively.

There’s a blueprint for Spartan success this season — and Aidan Chiles is undoubtedly at its center.

Last season, MSU ranked fourth in penalties and second in penalty yards per game in the Big Ten. The inexperienced team also struggled with turnovers, finishing fifth in the conference in that category. After going 5-7 last year, protecting the football will be critical if the Spartans hope to reach a bowl game for just the second time since 2020.

"We knew we were close (last year)," Chiles said. "We knew we were close within the season. It's just more of a, I don't really know how to put it, but we knew we were close, and we just didn't execute the way we wanted to execute. Now we have to do that. That's really what it is. There's no sugar coating it; we have to go out there and we have to execute the way they know we can."

Heading into his second year with the Spartans, wide receiver Nick Marsh is expected to be a primary target once again. Last spring, Marsh said he’s happy to be in East Lansing and excited for the future.

"The comfort level, I give it a 10 out of 10," Marsh said. "I'm comfortable and I'm happy where I'm at. We can grind from here on out. I feel comfortable. Especially schedule-wise, offense, school-wise, knowing the area and streets, knowing how to get to class and stuff. I would say I'm way more comfortable than last year."

He said his time at MSU has also helped him grow personally.

"I'm learning a lot of new things about myself that I may not have known before," Marsh said. "It's just been one heck of a process so far. I'm looking forward to where the journey takes me."

With new faces on the field and new leadership under Athletic Director J Batt, the Spartans have the foundation of a winning program heading into the 2025 season.

Transfer pickup Elijah Tau-Tolliver from Sacramento State is poised to lead the running back depth chart. In 2024, Tau-Tolliver earned honorable mention All-Big Sky honors, showcasing his versatility at the FCS level. He carried the ball 184 times for 950 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 38 passes for 317 yards and two scores. The former two-star recruit appeared in 11 games, averaging an efficient 5.2 yards per carry.

Smith expressed confidence in the senior running back’s potential.

"He’s done a nice job," Smith said after a spring practice. "I think he's picked up the vision of what we're asking on the wide zone game. Physical runner can make you miss out in space and catch the ball. Pretty decent out of the backfield, that's been impressive."

On the defensive side, senior safety Malik Spencer and junior linebacker Jordan Hall will be key players to watch after strong performances last fall. Spencer finished with 44 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble last season. Hall, who notched 67 tackles as a freshman, will look to rebound after recording 24 tackles last year and is expected to be a leader on defense.

Above all else, Smith said he and his staff feel confident heading into year two at MSU.

"We do feel good," Smith said. "We get a chance to be better now, no guarantees of that. There's still work to be done, but yeah, we feel as a staff, we were just talking about the other day, of year one to year two. There are a lot of areas where we have made some serious progress."

As the Spartans prepare for the 2025 season, there’s a sense of cautious optimism around East Lansing. With a talented young quarterback in Aidan Chiles, experienced returners stepping into leadership roles, and new additions from the transfer portal, MSU hopes to build a foundation for long-term success. The road back to national prominence won’t be easy, but for the first time in several years, the pieces finally seem to be falling into place.