Trinidad Chambliss Faces Big Decisions Amid Eligibility Uncertainty and Coaching Shakeup
As Ole Miss gears up for its College Football Playoff quarterfinal clash with Georgia, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss finds himself at the center of a different kind of pressure - one that goes beyond the gridiron. With his NCAA eligibility status still unresolved and his former head coach Lane Kiffin now at LSU, Chambliss is staring down a pivotal offseason that could reshape the next chapter of his career.
Waiting on the NCAA
Chambliss has filed a waiver with the NCAA, hoping to secure one more year of eligibility for the 2026 season. The request hinges on his 2022 campaign at Division II Ferris State, where he played in just two games - a workload he believes should qualify him for a retroactive redshirt.
The wrinkle? Division I and Division II redshirt rules don’t align, and that discrepancy has put Chambliss in limbo.
He’s enlisted well-known attorney Tom Mars to help expedite the process, but with the clock ticking toward the offseason transfer window, time is not on his side.
“Another year in the offense, having the spring and just developing more on this level - that would definitely be huge,” Chambliss said back in November after a win over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. That was before the playoff spotlight, before the coaching carousel started spinning, and before his future became one of the most intriguing storylines of the postseason.
Coaching Carousel Complicates Things
Chambliss arrived in Oxford as a post-spring transfer from Ferris State, where he spent four years developing into a dual-threat weapon. He redshirted in 2021, saw limited action in 2022, then broke out in 2024 - a performance that caught the attention of Ole Miss and led to his transfer.
But the man who brought him to Oxford, Lane Kiffin, is now gone - having taken the LSU job after the regular season. Chambliss confirmed he hasn’t spoken to Kiffin since the move, noting, “I don’t think that’s even allowed right now.”
And he’s right. The NCAA’s single-window transfer portal doesn’t open until Jan. 2, and any contact before then would be considered tampering.
Still, the LSU connection can’t be ignored - especially with Garrett Nussmeier heading to the NFL and the Tigers’ quarterback situation wide open for 2026. LSU has been linked to several portal options, including Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby, North Texas’ Drew Mestemaker, and former Arizona State standout Sam Leavitt. But Chambliss, depending on the NCAA’s ruling, could be a top-tier target himself.
A Rising Star in the Playoff Spotlight
Chambliss isn’t just a name to watch because of his eligibility case or transfer potential - he’s earned his spotlight on the field. Heading into the CFP quarterfinals, he’s racked up 3,804 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns, leading an Ole Miss offense that hasn’t missed a beat since his arrival.
In his playoff debut against Tulane, Chambliss was surgical - completing 23 of 29 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown, while adding two more scores on the ground in a dominant win. It was the kind of performance that turns heads not just in the SEC, but across the college football landscape.
And yet, even with the postseason in full swing, Chambliss knows the decisions looming off the field are just as significant.
“I would have to consider, like, what the best situation is for me,” he said before that win over Tulane. “What I feel more comfortable with.
Who I trust the most. And I’m just going to feel for every possibility, really.
There’s a lot that goes into that.”
What Comes Next
The uncertainty around Chambliss’ eligibility puts multiple programs in a holding pattern. If the NCAA grants him another year, he becomes one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the country - a proven leader with playoff experience and dual-threat ability. If not, Ole Miss, LSU, and any other suitors will have to pivot quickly in a fast-moving portal market.
Meanwhile, Ole Miss is also navigating its own transition. Several assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., followed Kiffin to LSU. In a rare arrangement, Kiffin allowed Weis and a few others to assist with the Rebels’ playoff run while preparing for their new roles in Baton Rouge - a balancing act that speaks to the unusual dynamics surrounding this year’s postseason.
For Chambliss, everything hinges on timing. The NCAA’s decision will determine whether he’s back in Oxford next fall, exploring new opportunities, or headed to the NFL. And until that verdict comes down, one of college football’s most intriguing quarterback situations remains unresolved.
But one thing is clear: whether it’s in the CFP or the transfer portal, Trinidad Chambliss is a name we’ll be hearing a lot more of in the weeks to come.