Trinidad Chambliss Earns Heisman Respect After Leading Ole Miss to Historic Season
Trinidad Chambliss didn’t hear his name called as a Heisman Trophy finalist this year, but that doesn’t mean he went unnoticed. The Ole Miss quarterback - a Division II transfer who began the season as a backup - still managed to earn two first-place Heisman votes, a nod of respect that speaks volumes about the season he put together in Oxford.
“I didn’t even know I got two first-place votes,” Chambliss said with a smile. “That was dope.
No one contacted me that day like, ‘Hey, I voted for you.’ I didn’t even know you could do that.
That was really cool to see.”
It’s been a whirlwind journey for Chambliss, who transferred from Ferris State and started the year behind Austin Simmons on the depth chart. But once he got his shot, he never looked back. Chambliss started the final 10 games of the season and led the Rebels to an 11-1 record - the best in program history - and, more importantly, their first-ever berth in the College Football Playoff.
Now, Ole Miss enters the postseason as the No. 6 seed and will host No. 11 Tulane on Dec. 20 in the first round. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on TNT.
Chambliss didn’t just manage the offense - he elevated it. He completed 65.5% of his passes for 3,016 yards, tossing 18 touchdowns against just three interceptions. On the ground, he added another 470 rushing yards and six touchdowns, showing off the dual-threat ability that made him such a tough matchup for SEC defenses down the stretch.
His efforts didn’t go unrecognized within the conference. Chambliss was named SEC Newcomer of the Year, took home the Conerly Trophy - awarded to Mississippi’s best college football player - and earned a spot on the All-SEC second team. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even the starter when the season kicked off.
While Ole Miss is still waiting for its first Heisman winner, Chambliss joins a short list of Rebels who’ve made a dent in the voting. Only three Ole Miss players have ever finished as high as third: Eli Manning (2003), Archie Manning (1970), and Jake Gibbs (1960). Chambliss finished eighth this year with 23 total points, but the two first-place votes are a testament to just how impactful his season was - and how far he’s come.
Here’s how the 2025 Heisman voting shook out:
- 1st: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza - 2,362 points (643 first-place votes)
- 2nd: Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia - 1,435 points (189 first-place votes)
- 3rd: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love - 719 points (46 first-place votes)
- 4th: Ohio State QB Julian Sayin - 432 points (8 first-place votes)
- 5th: Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez - 295 points (17 first-place votes)
- 6th: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith - 84 points (4 first-place votes)
- 7th: Georgia QB Gunnar Stockton - 43 points (3 first-place votes)
- 8th: Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss - 23 points (2 first-place votes)
- 9th: Ohio State S Caleb Downs - 22 points (2 first-place votes)
- 10th: Georgia Tech QB Haynes King - 18 points (2 first-place votes)
For Chambliss, the Heisman votes are just the icing on the cake. His real legacy might be what he’s helped Ole Miss accomplish this season - not just the wins, but the belief that this program can compete on the biggest stage. And with a playoff game on the horizon, he’s not done yet.
From backup to playoff starter to Heisman vote-getter - Chambliss’ story is one of the most compelling in college football this year.