It was supposed to be the "Simmons Era." When Jaxson Dart packed his bags for the New York Giants as a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the blueprint in Oxford seemed set in stone. Austin Simmons, the 6-foot-4 lefty who had famously juggled elite relief pitching with Lane Kiffin’s complex playbook, was the heir apparent. He even quit baseball last January to focus entirely on being the who is Ole Miss quarterback answer for the 2025 season.
But college football doesn't care about your plans.
If you walked into Vaught-Hemingway Stadium today and asked about the guy under center, you’d hear one name shouted from the Grove to the end zone: Trinidad Chambliss. The story of how a Division II transfer from Ferris State ended up winning the Conerly Trophy and leading Ole Miss into the College Football Playoff is the kind of stuff they usually save for cheesy sports movies.
The Unlikely Ascent of Trinidad Chambliss
Honestly, nobody saw this coming back in April 2025. When Chambliss announced he was transferring from Ferris State to Ole Miss, the general reaction was, "Nice depth piece." He was a Division II national champion, sure, but the jump from the GLIAC to the SEC is a massive chasm.
The season started exactly as the experts predicted. Austin Simmons took the field against Georgia State and looked every bit the future NFL prospect, throwing for over 300 yards. Chambliss was just the guy coming in for mop-up duty.
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Then came the Arkansas game.
Simmons went down with a nasty ankle injury early on, and suddenly, the "backup" was staring down an SEC defense. Most fans braced for the worst. Instead, Chambliss exploded for 415 total yards and three touchdowns. He didn't just manage the game; he took it over.
By the time Simmons was healthy enough to return, the locker room and the "Portal King" Lane Kiffin had a dilemma. You don’t bench the guy who is currently setting the SEC on fire. Chambliss kept the job, eventually earning SEC Newcomer of the Year honors and finishing with nearly 4,000 passing yards.
What Happened to Austin Simmons?
It’s gotta be a tough pill to swallow for Simmons. You give up a promising baseball career, dedicate yourself to the program, and then a freak injury combined with a historic performance from a teammate leaves you on the outside looking in.
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Because college football in 2026 is basically a professional free-agent market, Simmons didn't wait around to see if he'd win the job back in spring practice. He entered the transfer portal with a "no-contact" tag and has since officially signed with Missouri.
- Austin Simmons' 2025 Start: 341 yards and 3 TDs in the opener.
- The Turning Point: A high ankle sprain against Arkansas.
- The Result: A transfer to Mizzou to compete for their starting role in 2026.
Looking Ahead: Who is Ole Miss Quarterback for 2026?
The million-dollar question in Oxford right now is whether Trinidad Chambliss will be back for one last ride. As of January 2026, things are... complicated.
Chambliss has publicly expressed his desire to return to Ole Miss for the 2026 season. However, because of his long career—starting back at Ferris State in 2021—he’s currently navigating a bit of a "waiver debacle" with the NCAA to see if he can secure another year of eligibility. If the waiver is granted, he is the undisputed starter.
But Lane Kiffin never leaves the cupboard bare.
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If the NCAA plays spoiler, the Rebels have already made massive moves in the portal. Deuce Knight, the highly touted recruit who originally committed to Auburn, has flipped to Ole Miss. He’s the kind of dual-threat talent that makes Kiffin’s offensive mind go into overdrive.
The 2026 Depth Chart (As It Stands)
- Trinidad Chambliss (Pending NCAA waiver—if he's back, he's the guy).
- Deuce Knight (The star transfer from Auburn/Recruit who is the future).
- AJ Maddox (The homegrown talent from Hattiesburg, currently a redshirt sophomore).
Why Lane Kiffin’s System Makes This Possible
You've got to give credit where it's due. Kiffin has built a system that is remarkably "quarterback friendly" while remaining terrifyingly explosive. Whether it was Jaxson Dart’s vertical attack or Chambliss’s ability to scramble and extend plays, the offense adapts.
Kiffin has shifted the offense to rely more on versatile playmakers like All-American running back Kewan Lacy, who just announced he’s staying for 2026. With Lacy in the backfield, whoever the quarterback is has the ultimate safety net.
The philosophy in Oxford is basically: "We will find the best athlete in the country, put them in space, and let them cook." It worked for a D-II transfer from Grand Rapids, and it’ll likely work for whoever takes the first snap next September.
Real-World Action Steps for Rebels Fans
If you're trying to keep track of the most volatile position in college sports, here is what you need to be watching over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the NCAA Eligibility Center: The final ruling on Trinidad Chambliss's waiver will dictate whether Ole Miss is a preseason Top 5 team or a "rebuilding" squad.
- Watch Spring Camp Reports: If Chambliss isn't cleared, the battle between Deuce Knight and AJ Maddox will be the most watched competition in the SEC.
- Check the Portal Closures: The spring portal window (usually in April) will be the last chance for Kiffin to add another veteran arm if the Chambliss waiver fails.
The quarterback room at Ole Miss is no longer just a position; it’s a high-stakes drama. From Dart to Simmons to the current reign of Chambliss, the "Rebel Way" is fast, loud, and completely unpredictable.