Trinidad Chambliss Eyes Redemption as Ole Miss Prepares for Playoff Clash with Georgia
Trinidad Chambliss has been one of the most compelling stories in college football this season - a Division II transfer turned star quarterback, thriving under the spotlight at Ole Miss. But as the Rebels gear up for a high-stakes College Football Playoff quarterfinal rematch against Georgia, Chambliss is doing so without the coach who helped unlock his potential: Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin, who guided Ole Miss to the Playoff before accepting the head coaching job at LSU, is no longer in contact with his former players - not by choice, but by NCAA rule. When asked this week whether he’s spoken with Kiffin ahead of the Rebels’ postseason run, Chambliss was direct: “I don’t think that’s even allowed right now.”
Still, the impact Kiffin had on Chambliss’ breakout season is undeniable.
A Star Emerges in Oxford
Chambliss didn’t just step into the SEC spotlight - he lit it up. After transferring from Division II Ferris State, he put together a regular season that would make any Power Five veteran proud: 18 touchdown passes, just three interceptions, and a command of the offense that turned heads across the country.
And when the lights got brighter in the Playoff opener, Chambliss delivered again. In a dominant 41-10 win over Tulane, he completed 23-of-29 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown, adding 36 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. It was the kind of performance that not only validated his rise but also showed he’s not just a product of Kiffin’s system - he’s a quarterback who can win in December.
There’s already buzz about Chambliss potentially entering the transfer portal if he’s granted another year of eligibility. If that happens, expect a long line of suitors - including, naturally, speculation around a possible reunion with Kiffin at LSU. But for now, Chambliss is focused on the task at hand: Georgia.
A Shot at Redemption
Ole Miss has one blemish on its record this season, and it came at the hands of the Bulldogs back in October. The Rebels fell 43-35 in a game that was every bit the shootout the score suggests. Chambliss threw for 263 yards and a touchdown, ran for 42 more and added two scores with his legs - but it wasn’t enough.
Now, with the stakes even higher, Chambliss is eager for another shot.
“I’m very excited to play Georgia again,” he said this week. “The first outcome wasn’t the outcome that we wanted. We felt like we were the better team that day and we felt like we should have won that game.”
That confidence isn’t just talk - it’s rooted in how Ole Miss played for most of that game. But Chambliss knows it’ll take four full quarters this time.
“Like I said before, I feel like I’ve got to finish games in the fourth quarter,” he added. “It’s gonna be another dogfight.”
He’s not wrong. Georgia doesn’t give anything away, and if Ole Miss is going to punch its ticket to the next round, Chambliss will have to be at his best - again.
What’s Next?
With Kiffin gone, the Rebels are navigating uncharted territory. But they’re doing it with a quarterback who’s already proven he can carry the load. Chambliss has the poise, the production, and now the playoff experience.
He’s not just playing for a win - he’s playing for legacy, for opportunity, and maybe even for another year to keep this story going.
One thing’s for sure: come New Year’s Day, all eyes will be on Chambliss and the Rebels as they try to finish what they started - and maybe settle a score with Georgia in the process.