Aidan Chiles, fast-rising California quarterback, has high praise for Washington, Oregon State

Downey High School (California) quarterback Aidan Chiles was all set on an early June commitment to the Oregon State Beavers.

Then, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound signal-caller, rated the nation's No. 26 quarterback, added offers from Oregon and Washington, effectively resetting his recruitment.

Subsequent offers from Kansas State and Washington State further solidified Chiles' desire to fully check out his options before making a decision.

Over the weekend, Chiles took an unofficial visit to Washington, his first trip to the school.

It won't be his last.

"I liked it. It was great," he said. "I liked the coaching staff, the players, the facilities... everything was nice. I wanted to see the school. Before I took an official (visit), I wanted to get a feel for it."

"I'm closest to coach (Ryan) Grubb right now," he said. "I know the staff pretty well. I got to meet all of them this weekend, and they were cool people."

Chiles had tentatively set an official visit to Seattle for June 24, but needs to solidify those plans.

"We're thinking June 24," he said. "That's most likely the date." 

Next up is a trip to Corvallis on June 3.

The relationship between Chiles and the Oregon State coaching staff remains strong, and the Beavers are firmly in the mix.

"I'm still very close with them," he said. "They have great coaches, great players, I still like the environment and the team. I want to get up there for the official and see how I like it even more."

Chiles remains closest to offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren, and the relationship continues to build.

"We talk weekly," he said. "It's going good. There's no bumps, no anything. It's a good little friendship."

After extending an offer, the Oregon Ducks have joined Oregon State and Washington as a program of interest, but Chiles has yet to set up a visit to Eugene.

Others schools, he said, are positioning to get visits. 

"All three of those schools are definitely in the mix, but there's other schools, too," he said. "I want to see Washington State. Kansas State is in there, too." 

From "ready to commit" to "hot quarterback prospect," Chiles has laid the groundwork for an intense recruiting battle this summer.

Junior season highlights