Chambliss Speaks for First Time Since Court Ruling, Ole Miss QB Turns Focus to 2026 Season
OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss Rebels continued spring practice Tuesday as they get back to work after a huge transfer portal overhaul and a loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinals just a couple of months ago. Tuesday marked the first time media has viewed the new-look team, and it also was the first time to hear from head coach Pete Golding since that Fiesta Bowl loss.
Returning players are getting a chance to get back to the basics, while incoming freshmen and transfers are experiencing their first true chance to immerse themselves in Ole Miss’ system and begin to build chemistry with those around them.
Following the end of practice, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss got his first opportunity to speak to the media following the recent court rulings that assured his eligibility for the upcoming season. Here are the key takeaways from what he said.
Dealing with the offseason
Chambliss had quite the eventful offseason, dealing with a handful of court hearings, all in hopes that he’d be where he is today: back in Oxford, ready to bounce back, practicing with the team and preparing for the 2026 season.
“It’s been a little crazy. A little hectic. But, I’m here now, so that’s all that matters,” Chambliss said. “Very excited to see the news that came out on Friday. Now I can just put all my attention to spring ball and making sure that our team’s ready for the season.”
After transferring in from Ferris State last season, Chambliss arrived in Oxford over the summer, not leaving him much time to learn the playbook and scheme ahead of fall camp and the season. But it’s definitely different this time around.
“I wasn’t here last spring. So, I didn’t get a chance to do spring ball and kind of get my feet wet a little bit. I was kind of thrown into the fire and summer ball, and then the season was right there. But it’s good to have an offseason, a full spring to get timing ready with my receivers. Taking control of the offense this spring and create those connections with the receivers and new guys that we have. So, I’m excited to have spring ball under my belt.”
Trinidad Chambliss on spring football
Chambliss also took the time to reflect on how far he’s come in the past year, since making the move from D-II Ferris State.
“It’s very different,” Chambliss said. “Just talking to my friends, I talk to them every day, we just always talk about life in general. It always gets brought up where I’m at and how my journey has been — being at Ferris State for so long, not knowing if football was really for me. Now I have the opportunity to go to the NFL and leave my mark on college football too.”
Stepping into a new role with new personnel
“My role increased for sure,” Chambliss said. “Just trying to establish myself to be vocal. I’m not more of a vocal guy for real, but I gotta get outside of my comfort zone a little bit. Be vocal, lead by example and be the best person and player I can be.”
Even with new players and coaches around him as a result of former head coach Lane Kiffin’s departure, Chambliss hasn’t seen much change under the leadership of Pete Golding and new offensive coordinator John David Baker.
“There’s a lot of similarities,” Chambliss said. “[Baker] was here in 2020-2023 with [Kiffin], so he knows the offense. It’s basically the same offense. He has some new plays, some new terminology that we can learn, but overall it’s the same thing.”
Even more familiar to Chambliss on the staff is the quarterbacks coach, Joe Judge. Chambliss gave his praise for Judge, talking very highly of who he says is one of his favorite coaches that he’s ever had.
“Coach Judge is one of my favorite coaches that I’ve ever had, playing any sport. He just loves the game. He’s so detailed and technical with teaching the game and really understanding what a player sees and how to describe it to him. He’s taught me a lot about football, and I’ve learned so much from him. We always meet in the afternoons. Just trying to pick his brain about the NFL, how it moves and what defenses I should be looking at. How I should be like Tom Brady because he was with Tom Brady with the Patriots. Just all that. I guess you could say he has a master’s in football because he really does.”
Trinidad Chambliss on Joe Judge
Chambliss has some unfamiliar faces on the field, though, with the addition of a few wide receivers over the offseason.
“We got some dudes from Syracuse: Johntay Cook II and Darrell Gill,” Chambliss said. “Horatio Fields, he’s a bigger receiver. Then, getting Caleb [Cunningham] going. Definitely looking forward to connecting with those guys and creating that chemistry.”
The pair from Syracuse totaled over 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 77 combined receptions last season, meaning Chambliss will have plenty of talent to work with next season. But he has more than just those two.
With Fields at 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, he’s a big receiver, just as Chambliss mentioned. His size and physicality set him apart, and the fact that he recorded just over 100 yards with Auburn last season does not speak to how much talent he has.
What’s next
“Just staying on top of ball accuracy,” Chambliss said about one area in which he feels like he can improve upon for his final year.
“I feel like there were some balls this year that I wanted back, that I could’ve put the ball in better placement for our receivers. Increasing my IQ and then also identifying defensive coverage quicker and just being more elite.“
Trinidad Chambliss
If Chambliss can improve on the year he had before, with an offensive line that he says is big and getting used to speed and tempo, then it’s quite realistic for him to make a serious run for the Heisman Trophy in his final year of college.
As the team prioritizes technique and getting back to the basics through the spring, they’ll also be working with a new team-oriented leader in Golding, who is going to do what he can to ensure the overall success of the team.
“The personalities are a little different than our old coach,” Chambliss said, when asked.
“Coach Golding, I’d say he’s more of a team guy. We really value his leadership and whatever he says. He’s kind of ‘show you faster than I could tell you’. He leads by his actions, and we really appreciate that.”
Trinidad Chambliss on Pete Golding compared to the former coach
The next media availability will be Friday when we will interview players and an assistant coach. Stay tuned!
(Feature image credit: Karis Chambliss, The Rebel Walk)
Noah Scoggins
Noah is from Killeen, Texas, and graduated from Early College High School. He grew up in the Birmingham, Alabama, area and is now a second-year senior at the University of Alabama and will graduate in the spring. He is currently majoring in news media with a focus in sports media, as well as a minor in criminal justice. Noah has always loved and been passionate about college athletics and wants to share his love for sports.
