Ole Miss' star quarterback could have a decision to make on his future. Where he'll be next season is very much up in the air.
What's next for Trinidad Chambliss? What to know about Ole Miss QB's future after CFP loss to Miami originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
There were a few breakout names at quarterback during the 2025 college football season. Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy after entering Indiana’s season as a relative unknown to national fans, while Diego Pavia became a sensation at Vanderbilt with his two-way talents.
However, there may not have been a quarterback who set himself up for a bigger future — especially in the latter half of the season — than Trinidad Chambliss.
On Thursday, the Ole Miss Rebels quarterback’s spectacular season came to an end in the College Football Playoff semifinals, as his team fell 31-27 to the Miami Hurricanes. Now, Chambliss faces an uncertain future. He could wind up in April’s NFL Draft, or he could be back at Ole Miss next fall.
Here’s what to know about Chambliss’ future after becoming a star in the College Football Playoff.
MORE:Breaking down Trinidad Chambliss' NFL Draft projection
What's next for Trinidad Chambliss?
For now, it's unknown whether Chambliss will be playing college football or in the NFL next season.
The quarterback has a deal in place to return to Ole Miss, per ESPN, but he is currently waiting on an NCAA decision to see if he'll be eligible to return. Chambliss filed a medical redshirt waiver for a sixth year of eligibility in November, citing his 2022 sophomore season at Ferris State, where medical documents reportedly showed he battled a respiratory issue.
Home 🏡❤️ pic.twitter.com/VC2KcpjhwB
— Trinidad Chambliss (@TrinidadChambl1) January 6, 2026
According to ESPN, Chambliss recently said that process has been "a little frustrating" as has yet to receive a definitive answer on his request, although the NCAA gave a verbal denial for the waiver in December. Chambliss' lawyer, Tom Mars, said in the letter to the NCAA that Chambliss would "suffer irreparable harm" if he's not granted the waiver, per ESPN.
"It's been more than seven weeks since Ole Miss provided the NCAA with all the information they needed to make a decision," Mars told ESPN. "If the NCAA believes its bylaws clearly required more than what was provided, or that the information wasn't sufficient to justify a waiver, one has to wonder why they still haven't made a decision."
Because of that lingering situation, Chambliss is clearly eyeing a return to college, and Ole Miss, in 2026. However, if the NCAA officially denies his request, he'd be NFL-bound.
MORE: Where is Trinidad Chambliss from? More on the QB's Michigan roots
Trinidad Chambliss college eligibility
Trinidad Chambliss just finished his final collegiate eligibility when Ole Miss fell to Miami in the CFP. After taking a redshirt in 2021, he was on Ferris State's roster as a backup quarterback for a few seasons. In 2023, as a redshirt sophomore, he made one start and appeared in eight games, and in 2024, he led his team to a Division II national championship as the starter.
Chambliss has requested a medical redshirt waiver to play a sixth collegiate season, however, so he could continue to play at Ole Miss if granted to do so.
Trinidad Chambliss NFL Draft projection
Chambliss' performances in the CFP could completely alter how NFL teams view him. However, for now, NFL Mock Draft Database's consensus rankings projected Chambliss to be an undrafted free agent in the upcoming 2026 draft.
It wouldn't be surprising to see him continue rising up potential draft boards, however, as a majority of Chambliss' top performances have come within the last month of the season. In the CFP semifinals, he finished his 2025 season with 277 passing yards and one touchdown against a strong Miami defense.
What a CFP run for Trinidad Chambliss👏
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 9, 2026
🇹🇹 67% Completion Rate
🇹🇹 985 Total Yards
🇹🇹 6 Touchdowns
🇹🇹 0 Interceptions pic.twitter.com/MgORZEJxa2
How things shake out with Chambliss will depend first on his medical redshirt request at Ole Miss, then how NFL scouts view him in comparison to Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore and other quarterbacks who could be in the 2026 draft class.
MORE: Trinidad Chambliss' road from D-II afterthought to SEC star
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