Who is Austin Simmons’ Backup Trinidad Chambliss? All About Ole Miss Transfer QB

Ole Miss snatched victory from the jaws of what seemed like certain defeat. What started as a potential disaster in Lexington transformed into a nail-biting drama after both teams lost their starting quarterbacks in rapid succession. Austin Simmons suffered a leg injury, and Kentucky’s Zach Calzada followed suit with a shoulder problem, making the game feel like it could unravel. Then, transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss entered the fray and completely changed the narrative. The former Ferris State champ didn’t just show up; he excelled, commanding the offense with composure and showing he could be the perfect player to lead Ole Miss.

Born on August 24, 2002, Trinidad Jay Chambliss excelled in every sport he played. His parents, Trent and Cheryl, saw him become a star at Forest Hills Northern, where he threw for 1,610 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning him AP All-State, All-Ottawa Kent Conference, and a place on the MLive Grand Rapids Dream Team. He wasn’t just a football player, either; on the basketball court, he earned BCAM All-State and Detroit News All-State honors, showcasing his all-around athleticism.

When chaos struck Lexington, Lane Kiffin turned to Trinidad Chambliss, a Division II transfer from Ferris State with only six career Ole Miss passes to his name. With starter Austin Simmons out, Chambliss stepped into the SEC spotlight, completing 13 of 24 passes for 235 yards and two interceptions. He calmed the offense, displayed confidence under pressure, and helped secure a 30-23 victory over Kentucky, proving his worth in Oxford. And CBS Sports’ Cooper Petagna already sees a star in the making as he hits X, saying, “Little tidbit of Trinidad Chambliss from the spring portal window, who looks like he’s on deck to take over for Austin Simmons and Ole Miss against Kentucky.”

And it’s not his first time turning heads with an exceptional performance. At Ferris State, Trinidad Chambliss took his game to the next level. Over three seasons, he played 25 games, starting 16, and led the Bulldogs to another national championship in 2024. That championship game was unforgettable. Chambliss threw for three touchdowns, ran for another, and even caught a deflected pass for a first down—a performance that highlighted his clutch ability. So, now you know why Chambliss was Lane Kiffin’s only ray of hope?

And the wild part? The 6’1”, 200-pound Chambliss, who came from Forest Hills Northern in Grand Rapids, had no stars and was unranked by 247. He was overlooked, but he proved himself through hard work, earning a D-II national championship before joining the SEC. Now facing tougher competition at Ole Miss, Chambliss isn’t backing down on it: “I feel like in any school, you’ve got to bet on yourself. You know, you can’t back down from competition. And when I came on my visit here, I felt like it was a great family atmosphere.” That self-belief brought him to Ole Miss to compete with Austin Simmons for the starting quarterback role.

But his move to Ole Miss wasn’t all about his resume and grind; it was about where he was meant to be.

How did Trinidad Chambliss turn to Lane Kiffin’s program?

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was thrilled to add quarterback Trinidad Chambliss via the transfer portal. Chambliss joins the Rebels from Division II’s Ferris State, where he threw for 2,925 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushed for 1,019 yards and 25 touchdowns. He finished his season as a second-team All-American and a National Champion. Kiffin emphasized that Chambliss’s arrival bolsters the quarterback position. “Glad we were able to get that done. It makes the room better. AJ (Maddox) was doing a really good job until the injury. We’re very pleased with him,” Kiffin said.

The team needed a new quarterback after a spring camp injury. Highly rated 2024 recruit AJ Maddox had initially impressed, seeming poised to back up Austin Simmons and potentially even compete for the starting role. However, a hand injury sidelined Maddox, forcing Coach Kiffin to seek reinforcements.

This left Simmons as the expected starter. And why wouldn’t he? Simmons showed promise backing up Jaxson Dart last year, particularly during a touchdown drive against Georgia. Maddox’s injury created an opening for Lane Kiffin to add another quarterback capable of immediate contribution. Chambliss’ arrival provides Ole Miss with valuable depth and options at the quarterback position. No wonder that’s what happened in their game against Kentucky.

Despite coming from Division II, Chambliss’ impressive stats speak for themselves. His dual-threat ability could potentially challenge for the starting spot, though he’s likely to back up Simmons. His running skills offer Ole Miss another dimension, especially in special packages. Regardless of his role, Chambliss provides the Rebels with flexibility and a proven winner.

Now, until Austin Simmons makes his return to the field, it will be interesting to see how Trinidad Chambliss will hold up the game for the Ole Miss Rebels.