Aidan Chiles Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
8/19/2025 2:49:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State junior quarterback Aidan Chiles has been named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, which was released on Tuesday by the Johnny Unitas Golden Award Educational Foundation, Inc.
The award is presented annually to the top senior or upperclassman quarterback who is on track to graduate with their class. This year's list showcases 58 of the nation's premier collegiate quarterbacks, including a mix of returning standouts and rising stars.
Now in its 39th year, the Golden Arm Award continues to honor excellence both on and off the field. The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation in partnership with A. O. Smith Corporation, whose mission aligns with the Foundation's commitment to advancing the game of football while promoting character, leadership, and academic achievement among young athletes.
In his first year as a starting quarterback in 2024, Chiles became just the sixth Spartan sophomore to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a single season, completing 59 percent of his passes (192-of-323) for 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns. In addition, Chiles was a threat running the football, gaining a net of 225 yards on the ground, including 28 first downs and 14 carries of 10-plus yards. The Long Beach, California, native ended up finishing ninth in the Big Ten in total offense (220.0 ypg), which was also the most by any underclassmen quarterback in the conference.
Chiles was voted a team captain for the second consecutive season following the conclusion of preseason camp on Monday; he is the first Spartan to be voted a team captain in consecutive seasons since Xavier Henderson and Payton Thorne in 2021-22.
Connor Cook, the winningest quarterback in MSU history, is the only Spartan to win the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He claimed the honor in 2015 after helping lead Michigan State to the Big Ten Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
MSU opens the 2025 season against Western Michigan on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised on FS1.
The award is presented annually to the top senior or upperclassman quarterback who is on track to graduate with their class. This year's list showcases 58 of the nation's premier collegiate quarterbacks, including a mix of returning standouts and rising stars.
Now in its 39th year, the Golden Arm Award continues to honor excellence both on and off the field. The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation in partnership with A. O. Smith Corporation, whose mission aligns with the Foundation's commitment to advancing the game of football while promoting character, leadership, and academic achievement among young athletes.
In his first year as a starting quarterback in 2024, Chiles became just the sixth Spartan sophomore to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a single season, completing 59 percent of his passes (192-of-323) for 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns. In addition, Chiles was a threat running the football, gaining a net of 225 yards on the ground, including 28 first downs and 14 carries of 10-plus yards. The Long Beach, California, native ended up finishing ninth in the Big Ten in total offense (220.0 ypg), which was also the most by any underclassmen quarterback in the conference.
Chiles was voted a team captain for the second consecutive season following the conclusion of preseason camp on Monday; he is the first Spartan to be voted a team captain in consecutive seasons since Xavier Henderson and Payton Thorne in 2021-22.
Connor Cook, the winningest quarterback in MSU history, is the only Spartan to win the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He claimed the honor in 2015 after helping lead Michigan State to the Big Ten Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
MSU opens the 2025 season against Western Michigan on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised on FS1.
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