OXFORD – As he stood in front of the media following the biggest win of his young Ole Miss career, Trinidad Chambliss’ ear-to-ear smile told a story a lifetime in the making.
Chambliss, the senior transfer from Ferris State, has had his story told ad nauseum over the last few weeks. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native was an unheralded high school recruit who bided his time at the Division II powerhouse before taking over as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback in 2024. All he did was throw for 2,901 yards and 26 touchdowns, run for another 1,019 yards and 25 scores and lead Ferris State to its third national championship in four seasons. He was the third-place finisher for the Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
Chambliss entered the transfer portal in April and decided to come to Ole Miss. His immediate role was to be the backup to redshirt sophomore Austin Simmons, the heir apparent to first-round pick and the Rebels’ all-time leader in total offense Jaxson Dart. Simmons, who came into the national consciousness last season when he starred in emergency duty in a win against No. 3 Georgia, was one of Ole Miss’ representatives at SEC Media Days and was regarded all offseason as the undisputed starter. He started the first two games of the season but suffered an ankle injury late in a victory at Kentucky.
Chambliss got his first FBS start the next week against Arkansas and had 415 total yards and three combined touchdowns. Simmons entered the game briefly and threw a touchdown against the Razorbacks but reaggravated the injury in his spot duty. Chambliss got his second start the next week against Tulane and became the fourth Ole Miss quarterback to throw for 300 yards and run for 100 in the same game.
Heading into the game against then-No. 4 LSU, head coach Lane Kiffin told reporters that Simmons would be the Rebels’ starting quarterback if he was 100%, though Kiffin wasn’t sure what number that would be when Saturday arrived.
Game day at Vaught-Hemingway against the unbeaten Tigers came, and it was again Chambliss under center. And for the third time in as many weeks, Chambliss gave fans their money’s worth. He threw for 314 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 71 yards in Ole Miss’ 24-19 upset of LSU. In three starts, Chambliss has thrown for 974 yards and four touchdowns and has run for 245 yards and two touchdowns. And, perhaps most importantly, he has the Rebels (5-0, 3-0 SEC) in position for a potential College Football Playoff berth as they enter their first bye week.
After the game, Chambliss was asked if he was sick of being known as “the D2 guy” or if it was something he took pride in. His answer surprised no one in the room.
“That’s just pride. I grew up, didn’t have any offers really out of high school, just Division III, Division II,” Chambliss said. “Ferris State really took a chance on me, and I have to thank (head) coach (Tony) Annese for that, really. And he’s developed me as a player and a person at that level and at that program. But yeah, it’s definitely pride for sure.”
Asked if Chambliss had done enough to cement himself as the team’s starting quarterback, Kiffin said he didn’t “have that answer right now” and that it’s “a really good problem to have.”
But even Kiffin told reporters Saturday night that Chambliss’ journey is “a really cool story.” And while Chambliss has maintained through it all that football is football regardless of what level he’s playing at, he admitted he’s had to pinch himself a bit lately.
He hasn’t been out of place at all on the biggest stage in college football.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment, have to thank God for that one. He’s been with me the whole time. But yeah, it’s been amazing. I have to thank coach Kiff and just the whole staff here at Ole Miss for giving me the opportunity to come here and showcase my skillset and showcase what I can do with great athletes and just an amazing support staff here.
“ … It’s just amazing. Just a dream come true.”
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