Could Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss Reunite with Lane Kiffin at LSU? Here’s What We Know
As the college football world zeroes in on the College Football Playoff, a compelling subplot is quietly unfolding behind the scenes - one that could reshape LSU’s quarterback room heading into 2026.
Ole Miss senior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is waiting on word from the NCAA about an extra year of eligibility. If granted, it would allow him to return as a senior again next season - and potentially reunite with his former head coach, Lane Kiffin, who recently took over at LSU.
Here’s where things get interesting: if Chambliss is cleared, the NCAA transfer portal window from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16 becomes a key window to watch. That’s when he could officially enter the portal and possibly follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge. The move would also reconnect him with six offensive assistants from Ole Miss who joined Kiffin at LSU - a rare level of continuity that could make the transition seamless.
Among those assistants are offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Charlie Weis Jr., running backs coach Kevin Smith, co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Joe Cox, pass game coordinator and receivers coach George McDonald, inside receivers coach Sawyer Jordan, and quarterbacks assistant Dane Stevens. All six are currently still with Ole Miss, helping prepare the No.
6 Rebels (12-1) for a Sugar Bowl showdown against No. 3 Georgia (12-1) in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Kiffin on Chambliss: Careful Praise, Subtle Recruiting
During LSU’s Texas Bowl game against Houston on Saturday, Kiffin joined the ESPN broadcast crew for an in-game interview. Analyst Cole Cubelic brought up Chambliss, recalling a comment Kiffin made earlier in the season about the quarterback’s upside and early struggles in practice.
“You talked to us about Trinidad Chambliss in the first game of the season,” Cubelic said. “You said, ‘This kid came in and in scrimmages, he was lights out.
But he basically couldn’t manage the offense in practice.’ How do you get a quarterback’s light to go on?”
Kiffin, ever mindful of NCAA rules, sidestepped a direct answer.
“This is tricky,” he said. “Since we have coaches back there [at Ole Miss] and everything who might say it’s a violation if I actually talk about Trinidad and how good he is.”
Still, the message was clear - Kiffin thinks highly of Chambliss, even if he couldn’t say it outright.
Cubelic pivoted: “OK, any quarterback. You’ve dealt with a lot over your career.”
That opened the door for Kiffin to talk more broadly about his approach.
“I think when you just give a quarterback belief and confidence, and you stick with him when things don’t go well - especially early in the year - they feel that,” Kiffin said. “And that makes a huge difference.”
A Track Record with QBs
Kiffin’s reputation as a quarterback developer isn’t just talk - it’s backed by results. Most recently, he helped mold Jaxson Dart, who transferred from USC and became a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2025. Dart led the nation in passing efficiency last season (180.7) and ranked third in passing yards (4,279).
Before Dart, there was Matt Corral, who thrived under Kiffin in 2020 and finished top 10 nationally in efficiency. Kiffin’s system, paired with his ability to instill confidence in his quarterbacks, has become a calling card - and it’s one of the reasons Chambliss could be intrigued by a reunion.
And now, with helmet communication technology evolving, Kiffin says the ability to guide quarterbacks in real-time has only enhanced his approach.
“It’s really neat to be able to walk him through games the way that we do,” Kiffin said. “I think we have a very unique, really good quarterback system.”
The NCAA Decision Looms
For Chambliss, everything hinges on the NCAA granting him a sixth year of eligibility. His case centers around his time at Division II Ferris State, where he redshirted in 2021 and played in just two games in 2022. That means he’s only logged three full seasons - two at the D-II level - which forms the basis of his appeal for an extended eligibility clock.
There’s precedent. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was granted an extra year for the 2025 season under similar circumstances, which could help Chambliss’ case. He’s also enlisted the help of sports attorney Tom Mars, who has successfully represented players in eligibility matters before.
But while the transfer window is clearly defined - Jan. 2 through Jan. 16 - the NCAA’s timeline is anything but. There’s no set deadline for a decision, and delays are common.
“They’re famous for dragging their feet,” said a source close to Chambliss.
That uncertainty adds another layer of tension to Chambliss’ situation. If he doesn’t get an answer in time, he’ll miss the only portal window available before the 2026 season. The spring transfer window was eliminated after last year, so it’s now or never.
Chambliss’ 2025 Season: Quietly Impressive
While the spotlight has largely been on the playoff-bound Rebels as a whole, Chambliss has quietly put together a strong campaign. In Ole Miss’ 41-10 playoff win over Tulane on Dec. 20, he went 23-of-29 for 282 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 36 yards and two more scores.
For the season, Chambliss has completed 241 of 362 passes for 3,298 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. He’s also added 506 rushing yards on 124 carries with eight touchdowns, and ranks No. 15 nationally in quarterback efficiency at 158.8.
That’s the kind of dual-threat production that makes him a valuable commodity in today’s game - and a potential difference-maker for a program like LSU, especially under a coach who knows how to maximize his skill set.
Faith and Patience
Chambliss, for his part, is staying grounded.
“I trust in Jesus Christ,” he said when asked about his chances for another season. “Yeah, I have faith.”
He’ll need it. The clock is ticking, and the stakes are high. If the NCAA gives him the green light, don’t be surprised if the next chapter of Trinidad Chambliss’ college career is written in purple and gold.