How Mario Cristobal compared Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss to QBs Miami has faced

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Miami football coach Mario Cristobal was not stingy with praise in his assessment of Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

Cristobal spoke Jan. 3 as part of a Fiesta Bowl call with reporters. The Hurricanes (12-2) face the Rebels (13-1) in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 (6:30 p.m., ESPN) in Glendale, Arizona.

It's a CFP semifinal game. The winner will advance to the national championship on Jan. 19 in Miami against the winner of the Jan. 9 Peach Bowl between Indiana and Oregon.

"We've faced some really good (quarterbacks) throughout the course of the year," Cristobal said. "Especially the last couple of weeks. Watching him on film, he's a different level."

Chambliss lit up the Georgia defense in the Sugar Bowl to keep Ole Miss in the game. The Rebels won 39-34 behind Chambliss' 362-yard, two-touchdown performance.

Some of Chambliss' best plays were made when he eluded defenders in the backfield and turned what looked like developing sacks into big gains. His dual-threat ability has helped him take the SEC by storm since transferring in from Division II Ferris State.

Chambliss finished No. 8 in Heisman Trophy voting.

"He can do it all," Cristobal said. "He has excelled in every aspect of the game. He certainly brings a ton of energy to their team. He's a limitless football player."

The Hurricanes are No. 3 in the nation in sacks (46) and No. 4 in scoring defense (13 points per game).

Miami beat Texas A&M 10-3 in the first round of the CFP on Dec. 20, holding Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed to 237 passing yards and getting two interceptions.

In the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31, Miami held Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in check throughout a 24-14 win. Saying, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist, passed for 287 yards, one touchdown and threw two interceptions.

Miami's defense is a good match for Chambliss. The most points the Hurricanes have allowed is 26, which was in an overtime loss to SMU on Nov. 1. Miami has held nine opponent to 14 points or less. Ole Miss has only been held under 30 points twice in 2025.

"Certainly you can see on the sideline, and watching some of the stuff on TV, (Chambliss') leadership skills and the way people gravitate to him, he's had tremendous impart on the program," Cristobal said. "Plenty of respect for him."

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mario Cristobal reacts to Trinidad Chambliss' crazy plays for Ole Miss

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