Last winter, Trinidad Chambliss hoisted a Division II national championship trophy at Ferris State. He led the Ferris State Bulldogs to a 14-1 season, nearly 3,000 passing yards, over 1,000 rushing yards, and a five-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio.
As CBS Sports noted, his quarterback trainer, Steve Calhoun, inspired to take his Division II dominance to the next level:
“I think you’ve accomplished everything you need to accomplish at that level,” Calhoun said. “I truly believed he could play at a higher level.”
It was both a challenge and an invitation. For Chambliss, it meant deciding whether to leave behind comfort and massive success at Ferris State for the uncertainty of the transfer portal. This decision was one that could either redefine his career or leave him with second thoughts.
Ole Miss and Chambliss took a huge chance on each other, and so far, it has been paying off for both sides.
A Risk Turns Into Opportunity
Chambliss began the season as the backup quarterback to Austin Simmons. In Week 2, Simmons suffered an ankle injury against Kentucky, giving Chambliss the opportunity to be the Rebels starter.
He has absolutely made the most of that opportunity, forcing head coach Lane Kiffin’s hand into keeping him the starter even with Simmons’ return from injury.
In Simmons absence, Chambliss has massively exceeded expectations, elevating the entire offensive attack. Since taking over as the starter, he guided the Rebels to statement wins over Arkansas and Tulane, showcasing his ability to be one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the entire country.
In his first two games as the starter, Chambliss threw for 660 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air while adding 174 yards and two more scores on the ground. His ability to extend plays, improvise under pressure, and use his legs has given defenses fits and has added a new layer of explosiveness to Lane Kiffin’s offense.
With Chambliss under center, the Rebels are averaging 43 points per game, a massive jump that has turned them into one of the nation’s most efficient offenses. He currently sits seventh in ESPN’s QBR rankings, ahead of several established Power Four quarterbacks, underscoring just how quickly he’s gone from a transfer portal gamble to legitimate SEC QB.
Biggest Test Yet for Chambliss
While Arkansas and Tulane are solid college football opponents, Chambliss has not faced a defense like the one LSU has.
The Tigers have only allowed 37 points through four games this season, including only allowing 10 points to both Clemson and Florida. This explosive LSU defense forced Florida quarterback DJ Lagway into throwing a ridiculous five interceptions.
With a relentless pass rush, a strong linebacker group led by Whit Weeks, who happens to be dating Lane Kiffin’s daughter, and their ball-hawking defensive backs, the Tigers thrive on creating turnovers and flipping games in an instant.
For Chambliss, who has thrived on extending plays and taking risks downfield, this will be a defining challenge. Can his playmaking translate against an SEC powerhouse defense designed to take away exactly what he does best? If he can protect the football and continue to produce, it won’t just validate his rise, it could cement him as one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the country.
Chambliss’ rise could elevate the Rebels from a very good college football team to a team that has national championship aspirations.