How Trinidad Chambliss' Ole Miss teammates, coaches reacted to potential return in 2026
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While quarterback Trinidad Chambliss isn’t officially returning to Ole Miss football in 2026, a big step occurred toward that outcome on Jan. 5.
Chambliss announced he would return to the Rebels if his NCAA eligibility waiver is approved. He needs a waiver because he’s played five seasons of college football, the first four at Division II Ferris State, but redshirted in 2021 and 2022.
Chambliss has been Ole Miss‘ starter since Week 2 and has the Rebels (13-1) facing Miami (12-2) in the Fiesta Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Jan. 8 (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) in Glendale, Arizona. The winner plays the Peach Bowl winner between Indiana and Oregon in the national championship on Jan. 19 in Miami.
“That’s huge news for everybody,” Ole Miss quarterbacks coach Joe Judge said. “He’s a huge part of this university right now. He’s a huge part of this team and a key focal point. What he’s done for all of college football really has been tremendous. You watch these guys, the entire city of New Orleans the other day was in powder blue with Trinidad flags everywhere. How cool was that?”
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss becomes national story
Chambliss’ story has captivated college football, especially recently with the Rebels two wins away from winning the national championship.
He didn’t begin the season as the starter. Austin Simmons was Ole Miss’ starting quarterback, but he got injured in Week 2. Chambliss replaced him and has been too good to take off the field.
Ole Miss is 11-1 with Chambliss as the starter and is on a seven-game winning streak. He even earned two first-place votes for the Heisman Trophy, placing eighth.
“It’s a great thing to see,” Ole Miss co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Bryan Brown said. “It’s like you’re sitting in a time machine and looking back and seeing where he was then. And now, it’s just like, ‘Holy crap, this kid is a really big deal.’
“So it’s great to have him on our squad. Hopefully he gets the waiver and comes back, we feel positive about that, so we don’t have to face him anywhere else.”
Chambliss led Ole Miss to a lopsided 41-10 win against Tulane in the first round of the CFP. Then against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Chambliss made numerous big plays to lead a second-half comeback, including a drive to set up Lucas Carneiro’s game-winning field goal. The Rebels won 39-34.
In the two playoff games, Chambliss is 53-for-75 passing for 644 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s rushed for 40 yards and two rushing touchdowns, too.
“I think that’s pretty good for the program,” wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling said. “Unfortunately, I won’t be around to see that next year and be a part of it, but wishing all of them well and wishing this program well. They’ve been really good to me. So, I hope when he comes back next year, he just picks up where he left off.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss reaction to Trinidad Chambliss’ potential return in 2026
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