If anyone knows how much can change in a single calendar year, it’s Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Just a year ago, he was the expected starting quarterback for Ferris State, a Division II powerhouse. He is now among the betting favorites to win the 2026 Heisman Trophy.
Chambliss burst onto the national college football scene from relative obscurity last season. The Michigan native started his career at Ferris State, guiding the Bulldogs to the 2024 national championship. He joined the transfer portal on April 10, 2025, and transferred to Ole Miss following the conclusion of spring training, serving as Austin Simmons’ backup.
Simmons was hurt late in a victory against Kentucky, and Chambliss took over the rest of the season, leading the program to new heights. Chambliss finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting and led the Rebels (13-2) to the program’s winningest season and a trip to the College Football Playoff, which ended in a semifinal defeat to Miami. Chambliss came second nationally with 4,464 yards of total offense and 30 total passing and rushing touchdowns.
“Just talking to my friends—I talk to them every day—we just always talk about life in general, and it always gets kind of brought up, where I’m at and how my journey has been,” Chambliss said. “Being at Ferris State for so long, not really knowing if football was for me. And now I have the opportunity to play in the NFL while also leaving my imprint on collegiate football. “
Chambliss petitioned the NCAA for a year of eligibility, claiming that he should be granted a medical redshirt due to illnesses he had during the 2022-23 season. When the request was rejected, a well-publicized lawsuit ensued. Chambliss was given a preliminary injunction authorizing him to participate, and the NCAA agreed to appeal. Last week, the Mississippi Supreme Court rejected the decision.
The 2025 SEC Newcomer of the Year spoke to the media on Tuesday, the first time since finding out he would be eligible for the 2026 season. Ole Miss started spring practice last Friday.
“I always had faith in myself being back here, being the quarterback at Ole Miss,” Chambliss remarked. “My case was valid. Everything was the truth. So my confidence never waned or rose. It was always rather high. “
The Rebels, who finished third in the final AP poll – the program’s best result since 1962 – return several important players for the 2026 season, including Chambliss, All-SEC running back Kewan Lacy, and star defenders like Kam Franklin, Will Echoles, and Suntarine Perkins. However, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. has departed, sticking with Ole Miss through the team’s playoff run before joining former head coach Lane Kiffin at LSU. John David Baker, who had worked with Weis at Ole Miss, was hired to oversee the offense. Baker spent the previous two seasons as the offensive coordinator at East Carolina. The Pirates averaged 449 offensive yards per game last season, ranking 19th in the country.
According to Chambliss, switching from Weis to Baker will not bring much change.
“There are a lot of similarities,” Chambliss remarked. “… He knows the attack. It’s essentially the same offense. He has some newer plays and language for us to understand. However, in general, it is the same thing. “
