When the 2025 season kicked off in Oxford, all eyes were on Austin Simmons. The sophomore quarterback had just stepped into the spotlight following Jaxson Dart’s departure to the NFL, and the buzz was real - Simmons was expected to be the next big thing for Ole Miss. But football has a way of rewriting scripts fast, and Simmons’ story took a turn just two weeks in.
Simmons suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 against Kentucky, and with that, the door opened for Trinidad Chambliss - a Division II transfer from Ferris State - to take the reins. What followed was one of the most unexpected and impressive quarterback performances in college football this year.
Chambliss didn’t just fill in - he took over. He led the Rebels to an 11-1 record and a College Football Playoff berth as the No. 6 seed.
That’s not just managing the offense; that’s elevating a program. Ole Miss is now set to host No.
11 Tulane (11-2) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Dec. 20, and Chambliss is a big reason why.
Along the way, Chambliss racked up hardware that most quarterbacks only dream about. He was named SEC Newcomer of the Year, took home the Conerly Trophy (awarded to Mississippi’s top college football player), and earned a spot on the All-SEC second team. He even pulled in two first-place votes for the Heisman Trophy - not bad for a guy who started the year as a backup from Division II.
But while Chambliss has been the breakout star, Simmons hasn’t disappeared. He’s been active in five games since the injury, mostly in special packages or relief roles, like his appearance against The Citadel. And behind the scenes, he’s continued to show the kind of leadership and maturity that coaches dream of.
“He’s awesome. He’s absolutely awesome,” said Ole Miss quarterbacks coach Joe Judge.
“This dude is as smart as can be. He’s extremely talented.
He’s a pleasure to be around, he works relentlessly and he’s a dude that hasn’t had the easiest season, to be honest with you.”
Judge didn’t hold back in his praise, emphasizing Simmons’ professionalism and resilience.
“People talk all the time about a pro mindset. I think a lot of time people don’t really understand what that is,” Judge said.
“This guy is a pro in every sense of the word. He comes to work, he does his job, he supports his teammates, he improves every day.”
That kind of attitude matters - especially in a season where Simmons went from being the face of the program to a supporting role. Judge made it clear: Simmons has handled the adversity with grace, and he’s stayed ready.
“He’s ready for whatever we ask him to do, and he does it with a smile,” Judge added. “This guy knows how to handle adversity and things that come his way as good as anybody I’ve ever been around.”
So while Chambliss is leading Ole Miss into the postseason spotlight, Simmons’ story isn’t over - not by a long shot. In fact, the way he’s handled this season might just be laying the foundation for whatever comes next.
For now, the Rebels are riding high, led by a quarterback who came out of nowhere and a former starter who’s shown what it means to be a true teammate. And as Ole Miss prepares for its biggest game in years, both quarterbacks have played a role in getting them there - just in very different ways.