Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was the talk of college football when he battled against the NCAA to secure his eligibility for an extra season. Despite a relatively weak draft class this season and being projected as a potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft, Chambliss opted to return to Oxford for an extra season.
According to The Athletic, Chambliss will be among the best-paid players in college football, earning up to $6 million next season in NIL.
Why Trinidad Chambliss Decided to Return to Ole Miss
During Wednesday’s segment of the “Cover 3” podcast, 247Sports analyst Tyler Komis revealed why Chambliss took the unusual step to return to college football and the aspects of his game that he still needs to work on.
“Obviously, money is a big part too, but I think development-wise, I think he could really benefit from another year at the Division I level,” Komis said. “He came to Ole Miss in June, he still hasn’t been in Oxford for a whole year yet. I think as a passer, he got better as the season went on. Last four games of the year, he looked like the best QB in the country.
“Before that, it was a lot of growing. The offensive line wasn’t great, but the part that he thrived in and where I think he clicked well with that young offensive line was his dual-threat ability to escape the pocket. I think he does have some things to improve on. Maybe as far as reading defenses and throwing the ball, accuracy was a bit of an issue.”
After joining former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s team last year, Chambliss started the season as the Rebels’ QB2. Chambliss became a starter after QB1 Austin Simmons got injured in a Week 2 game against the Kentucky Wildcats and established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the country as the Rebels clinched a College Football Playoff spot.
Chambliss registered 3,937 passing yards on 66.1% completion, resulting in 22 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, while adding 527 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns in his first season under center for the Rebels. As a result, he earned an impressive PFSN College QB Impact score of 90.3.
The Ole Miss star is considered one of the best returning quarterbacks in college football and is also one of the strong favorites to win the 2026 Heisman Trophy alongside Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr and Texas standout Arch Manning.
Next season, Chambliss will play under new Ole Miss offensive coordinator John David Baker, who succeeded Charlie Weis Jr., in whose scheme the talented quarterback thrived last season before Weis followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge.
Read More: ‘Chambliss Is a Clown’ – CFB World Reacts As Trinidad Chambliss Makes ‘Weird’ Lane Kiffin Admission
