Spring football for college football teams across college football has begun as the 2026 season is a few months away from getting started.
One of the major storylines this season centers around Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. He concluded the season with an impressive 3,937 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and only three interceptions, achieving a completion rate of 66.1%.
In addition, he rushed for 527 yards, scoring eight touchdowns and leading the Rebels to their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. After this successful season, Chambliss applied to continue playing college football for an additional year, which would mark his sixth year, following four seasons with the Ferris State Bulldogs and one season with Ole Miss.
During his second year at Ferris State, Chambliss reported experiencing respiratory issues that prevented him from playing. As a result, he did not participate in any games or dress for the Bulldogs that season. The NCAA denied Chambliss's request for an additional year of eligibility on January 9 and also rejected his appeal on February 5. Ole Miss later submitted a request for reconsideration to the NCAA, citing new evidence; however, that request was also denied.
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Chambliss has been granted an additional year of eligibility by a state court judge. Judge Robert Whitwell issued an injunction allowing him to be eligible for the 2026 season, stating that Chambliss met the necessary criteria to receive a medical redshirt for a sixth year. The NCAA has since filed an appeal.
With it looking like he will be able to play in the upcoming season, David Pollack was asked on his podcast, "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack," who he believed to be the most clutch quarterback in the sport. Without hesitation, he stated that it had to be Chambliss.
"After watching the playoff, it's Chambliss," Pollack said. "Like, absolutely. I bet you his numbers might not be the elite of the elite because I remember the Georgia game, he was really bad in the fourth quarter. The first one. The second one, hold my beer. When he played in the playoff, I was literally like, he didn't lose to Miami in the fourth quarter; he ran out of time. Otherwise, he would have gotten it done. So, Trinidad would easily come to mind as No. 1."
Brent Rollins, Pollack's co-host, also works for Pro Football Focus. Using statistics that included touchdowns, turnovers, completion percentage, and snaps, he determined that Chambliss is this season's most clutch quarterback in college football.
Although Chambliss successfully guided the Rebels to significant achievements this past season, he fell short of taking them to the national championship. If he returns and improves upon his stats from last year, proving Pollack's prediction correct, he could lead Ole Miss to its first national championship in over 65 years.
