Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss Cleared to Play in 2026, But Offseason Questions Linger
The green light is on for Trinidad Chambliss. Ole Miss’ star quarterback has officially been cleared to play in the 2026 season after a Mississippi judge granted him an injunction against the NCAA. It’s a major win for the Rebels heading into spring, and while the legal battle could technically continue, the timeline for any appeal makes it unlikely to affect Chambliss’ availability this year.
That’s the headline. But as Ole Miss fans exhale over their quarterback’s eligibility, there’s still plenty to sort through before the Rebels kick off the 2026 campaign.
Tampering Allegations Could Cast a Shadow Over the Offseason
The biggest cloud looming over Oxford right now? Potential NCAA fallout from tampering allegations involving head coach Pete Golding.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney raised eyebrows-and tempers-back in January when he publicly accused Golding of tampering during the recruitment of linebacker Luke Ferrelli. Ferrelli had transferred from Cal to Clemson before flipping to Ole Miss, and Swinney alleges that Golding texted the linebacker while he was still in class at Clemson.
That’s not just a breach of etiquette-it’s a potential NCAA violation. An investigation is expected, and if the NCAA finds merit in the claim, it could result in penalties that affect recruiting or even sideline Golding for a portion of the season. There’s precedent for suspensions in these situations, so this is a storyline worth watching closely as the offseason unfolds.
New Coordinators Bring Fresh Energy-and Familiar Faces
While Golding navigates the off-field noise, he’s also reshaping his staff. Ole Miss enters 2026 with new coordinators on both sides of the ball, signaling a new chapter in the program’s evolution.
On defense, Golding has tapped Patrick Toney to take over his old role as defensive coordinator. Toney most recently coached safeties for the Arizona Cardinals, but his roots are in the college game.
He and Golding go way back-they coached together at Southeastern Louisiana in 2012-13 and again at UTSA in 2016-17. That familiarity should help smooth the transition as Toney steps into a leadership role on defense.
Offensively, John David Baker takes over as OC following Charlie Weis Jr.’s departure to LSU. Baker is no stranger to Oxford.
He was on staff from 2021 to 2023, serving as tight ends coach and later as co-offensive coordinator. After two seasons calling plays at ECU, he returns to Ole Miss with a sharper resume and a deeper understanding of what it takes to win in the SEC.
If Golding follows the Lane Kiffin blueprint, spring practice should kick off in mid-March. With new voices in the coaching room but familiar faces on the headset, there’s a blend of continuity and change that could benefit the Rebels as they retool for 2026.
Wide Receiver Room Gets a Major Overhaul
Of all the position groups on the roster, none has seen more turnover than wide receiver. Ole Miss is expected to return just one of its top six pass-catchers from last season, and that means the offense will have to find new chemistry-and quickly.
Trey Wallace, the team’s leading receiver, is off to the NFL Combine and likely headed for the draft. De’Zhaun Stribling, who racked up 811 yards in 2025, has also exhausted his eligibility and is expected to make the pro leap. Cayden Lee transferred to Missouri, Winston Watkins is now at LSU, and tight end Dae’Quan Wright declared for the draft as well.
That leaves Deuce Alexander-who finished third on the team with 685 receiving yards-as the lone returning weapon with significant production. He’ll be leaned on heavily, but he won’t be alone.
Ole Miss hit the transfer portal hard, bringing in Darrell Gill (Syracuse), Horatio Fields (Auburn), and Johntay Cook (Syracuse) to compete for starting roles. And don’t forget about Caleb Cunningham. The former five-star recruit is heading into his redshirt freshman season and could be poised for a breakout if he can take the next step in spring ball.
What’s Next for the Rebels?
With Chambliss back in the fold, the Rebels have their leader under center. That alone gives them a fighting chance in the always-brutal SEC. But questions remain.
Will the NCAA investigation into Golding result in sanctions? Can a revamped receiving corps find its rhythm in time? And how quickly will the new coordinators settle into their roles?
There’s a lot to monitor in Oxford over the next few months. But one thing’s clear: the 2026 Ole Miss football season just got a lot more interesting.