Ole Miss is heading into a season full of attention, and a lot of it is following Trinidad Chambliss.
With Lane Kiffin gone, the Rebels are entering the first official year without their head coach, but the buzz around the program has hardly cooled off. Chambliss is back for one more year of eligibility, and the spotlight on him only got brighter after Kirk Herbstreit made a bold call about where college football is headed.
On a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Herbstreit said he believes Chambliss, not Texas quarterback Arch Manning, is the player who should be considered the face of the sport going into the season.
"I think that the face of the sport going into the season, as much as people are going to talk about Arch Manning, I really think (it's) Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss," Herbstreit said. "He is so refreshing when you get around this guy.
You guys should have him on the show before the season starts. If you if you haven't had him on yet, you'll instantly fall in love with his personality."
That kind of label brings a heavy load with it. If Chambliss really is the face of college football, the standard becomes massive: Heisman Trophy-level production, multiple CFP wins, and the kind of season that leaves no doubt.
That is a lot to put on one quarterback, but Chambliss is walking into it after a rise that already turned heads last year. The expectations are enormous, yet Herbstreit’s confidence suggests he sees a player built for that stage.
And it is not just the numbers that make Chambliss interesting. The way he helped lead Ole Miss last season is a big part of why fans in Oxford have reason to believe he can push the Rebels back to the College Football Playoff. The scrambling, the timely plays, the passing ability, the poise - it all added up to a quarterback who looked capable of carrying real weight.
Manning may have drawn plenty of attention, but Herbstreit’s point was clear: Chambliss has the profile to match the hype. If he delivers in 2026, the conversation around the face of college football could end up sounding a lot different than it does now.
In Other News...
Chris Beard Mourns A Beloved Ole Miss Fan Who Inspired The Team
Sam Schulz had become much more than a familiar face around Ole Miss basketball. The 22-year-old, who lived with the rare genetic condition epidermolysis bullosa, was a close friend of coach Chris Beard and an avid supporter who built real connections with several players, leaving a mark on the program beyond the usual reach of a fan.
Beard publicly mourned Schulz after his death on Aug. 12, calling him a warrior and one of the toughest people he knew. For a team that drew energy from Schulzs presence and perspective, his loss lands as something larger than a passing tribute, with the lasting impact of his friendship still settling over the program. [Read more 🡒]
Terez Davis Could Be Huge For Ole Miss Playoff Hopes
Terez Davis has become one of the more intriguing pieces of Ole Miss offensive line story as he heads into his third year with the program. A former basketball and tight end prospect turned offensive tackle, Davis has worked his way into a key role up front, giving the Rebels another athletic, versatile option as they continue building around a line that has to hold up all season long.
Davis has also shown the kind of commitment Ole Miss likes to see in a player on the rise, staying put despite some transfer interest and focusing on what comes next. Much of that steadiness traces back to his father, former NBA player Ricky Davis, who helped shape his confidence while also keeping him grounded, a combination that could matter plenty as the Rebels get ready for the upcoming season. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Kiffin Arrives At LSU With One Massive Thing To Prove
Lane Kiffins move from Ole Miss to LSU sent the SEC into immediate spin, not just because he changed jobs, but because he left Oxford with a playoff team still in motion. Ole Miss responded by promoting Pete Golding to interim head coach for the postseason run, while Kiffin made his case for a fresh start in Baton Rouge, a place that has long been willing to match ambition with resources when it comes to chasing championships.
For Ole Miss fans, the storyline now carries an obvious edge: Kiffin spent time criticizing the recruiting environment in Oxford, then walked into an LSU program that expects the kind of results he says he has been chasing. SEC analyst Paul Finebaum has already questioned Kiffins motives and credibility, which only adds to the scrutiny. At LSU, the pressure will be immediate and public, and every step of his tenure will be measured against the claim that he finally has what he needs to win big. [Read more 🡒]