The last four months have been a whirlwind for Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. A relatively unknown former star at Division II Ferris State, Chambliss joined the Rebels as the projected backup to Austin Simmons.
However, after Simmons went down with an injury early in the season, Chambliss was ready. The 23-year-old Michigan native produced 415 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in his first start against Arkansas on Sept. 13 and never looked back from there.
“I felt like I didn’t really know what my role was going to be at Ole Miss,” Chambliss told Men’s Journal last week. “I knew they had a quarterback ready to take the reins in Austin. But I knew that they were high on me and I was competing and doing well in practices and scrimmages and preseason.”
An opportunity seized
Once Chambliss got his chance to run the show, he never let go of it, serving as the Rebels’ starter the rest of the season and finishing with 3,937 passing yards, 527 rushing yards, 30 total touchdowns and a trip to the College Football Playoff.
“I really never looked back after that first game and just had a great year with my team,” Chambliss said. “It’s been a great journey. It’s kind of crazy how my life was a year ago, playing at Ferris State in Division II and now I’m in the SEC playing against the top teams in the nation. It’s been crazy but it’s been great.
“I’ve always had confidence in myself as a player. I felt like I got prepared and I learned a lot at Ferris State. It was always, how would I compare or adjust to playing in the SEC. I would probably say after that Arkansas game and after we played Tulane and LSU, after those three games, I was like ‘Okay, I can really do this and be consistent with this thing.’”
Another first-time experience for a rising star
Chambliss’ rollicking ride ended in a heartbreaking loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinals, but along the way, he thrilled Ole Miss fans and opened up doors for his future.
He even earned the chance to shoot his first-ever commercial, “The Call,” in conjunction with AT&T.
“That was my first experience doing a commercial, or anything where filming is involved with me acting,” Chambliss explained. “We actually rented out a frat house on campus. That was pretty cool. The whole experience was great.”
What’s next?
Now comes the tough part for Chambliss: determining what’s next. Chambliss and his representation filed a lawsuit in Mississippi court on Friday, petitioning the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.
It’s possible that the dynamic dual-threat could be back leading the Ole Miss attack in 2026. But Chambliss is also paying attention to the NFL landscape.
With Dante Moore returning to Oregon, there could be an opportunity for Chambliss to position himself as the No. 2 QB prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft, behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, the expected No. 1 overall pick.
“I would say I’m just being prepared for anything, whether it’s the NFL or I come back next year at Ole Miss,” he said. “I just want to make sure that I’m ready for anything, still staying in tune and watching film and staying at sharp as I can, because no matter what result, I know I’m going to be playing football next year and I have to be ready for anything.”
As for what he’ll be focused on improving this offseason, Chambliss has some ideas.
“I feel like you can improve on anything, No matter if you’re Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes, there’s always room for improvement,” he said. “I feel like I need to increase my football IQ, in breaking down film and identifying defensive coverages and what kind of tips a defense gives you. Also, just footwork and cleaning up my quarterback mechanics as well.”
