For the second season in a row, Northwestern has found their next quarterback in the portal.
Perhaps the Wildcats’ biggest acquisition during the transfer window was Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles. A former four-star recruit out of California, Chiles began his collegiate career at Oregon State before transferring to the Spartans for his sophomore and junior seasons.
Ring a bell?
Now-former Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone was last year’s big transfer portal get for the Wildcats. Stone played most of his college career at SMU, with his most successful season (2023) ending in an ankle injury that saw him sidelined for the AAC Championship Game. He started four games for the Mustangs in 2024, but he split time and was eventually benched in favor of Kevin Jennings.
That ultimately led to Stone transferring to Northwestern.
More than a year later, Stone has finished his college career and his pursuing NFL dreams. A step in that process was participating in Northwestern’s Pro Day 2026 on Tuesday.
Preston Stone was asked about conversations with new Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles and what advice he has for the former Spartan. (Damien Dennis/TPM)
Stone was asked by members of the media after his participation if he has yet to have any conversations with Chiles.
“A little bit, yeah,” Stone said. “I was out at practice one day and the guys were working out. I know Aidan’s been up here a little bit. He came up to me, said what’s up, seemed like a super friendly guy.”
For more on what Preston Stone said, click here.
Stone called Chiles “super talented,” mentioning scout tape he watched for Nebraska and Michigan when they played Michigan State.
The NFL hopeful was then asked if he’s given any advice to Chiles, but has said he hasn’t had those conversations with the new QB yet.
“I would tell him is just to be himself,” said Stone. “Even just in the limited amount of time I’ve been around him, I can tell he’s a genuine guy. He’s a good guy. I think the way to earn respect here from your team is just work at your tempo. That’s kind of the language that Northwestern football speaks.”
Stone finished the 2025 campaign with 2,400 yards and 17 touchdowns but accumulated a career-high 17 interceptions. He had just eight total career interceptions before suiting up for the Wildcats. He also scored once on the ground.
Chiles has had an up-and-down collegiate career up to this point. During the 2024 season, he amassed 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns but through 11 picks. It’s hard to say if 2025 was any better, as he finished with just 1,392 yards and 10 touchdowns, but threw just three interceptions. He had six scores rushing compared to three each of his previous two seasons.
Stone was also asked about the culture at Northwestern, in which he praised the player leadership and called it “unlike any program” he’s been around.
“I was super fortunate to be able to be around and learn from the leaders last year, like Cam Porter, Caleb Tiernan … I think first and foremost, that was the first thing I noticed,” he said. “I noticed on my recruiting visit here, when I was in the portal, that when I got to sit down and talk to coach (David) Braun, there’s just a level of sincerity that’s different. He’s a very genuine coach, very genuine person. That speaks a lot for this character.”
Stone hopes to get drafted by an NFL organization in April, while Northwestern has spent the offseason stating the goal is to compete for – and win – Big Ten Championships.
But can Aidan Chiles lead the Wildcats to the top of the league in 2026?
