Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Trinidad Chambliss has bigger concerns than talking to Lane Kiffin about his future

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Dec 30, 2025 10:02 PM ET

Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is not discussing his future and whether or not it involves a transfer to reunite with his old head coach, Lane Kiffin, who is now with the LSU Tigers.

First of all, Chambliss is not even guaranteed to be able to play a sixth season of college football.

He filed his petition to the NCAA for an additional season of eligibility back in mid-November. The NCAA has delayed its ruling on the matter, so that's still up in the air.

In the meantime, Chambliss is preparing for No. 6 Ole Miss' Sugar Bowl matchup with the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia is the only team that beat the Rebels this season (it was a 45-35 loss in mid-October), and Chambliss and his team are focused on getting payback and advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Still, Chambliss was asked in a Sugar Bowl news conference if he's had any communication with Kiffin.

His answer was definitive.

Trinidad Chambliss, here at Sugar Bowl media day, says he’s not communicated with Lane Kiffin and adds, “I don’t think that’s even allowed right now.” pic.twitter.com/6efNkjOsb6
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 30, 2025

Chambliss says he hasn't spoken to his old head coach. That doesn't mean that there hasn't been any "backchanneling" via his representation or even his family, but all we have to go off of is what Chambliss says at this time.

Again, there's not even a guarantee that the NCAA will give Chambliss an additional year of eligibility, so this may all be a moot point.

Chambliss has bigger problems than talking to Kiffin. Heck, he may not even be able to play college football in 2026.

Ole Miss Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss may not be given an additional season of eligibility

Chambliss is asking for the additional year because his 2022 season at Ferris State saw him appear in just two games and accumulate zero stats. He had already taken a redshirt in his true freshman season, but Chambliss is asking for a medical redshirt for 2022 because he had "persistent respiratory issues" that were bad enough that he had surgery to remove his tonsils.

It would seem that Chambliss has a point, but as mentioned, the NCAA has not quickly ruled on this matter. It's far from a guarantee for the Ole Miss quarterback. So much so that he's had to hire a lawyer to try to expedite the decision.

"This matter is not just time sensitive," the lawyer, Tom Mars, wrote in a seven-page letter sent to the NCAA reinstatement committee, per ESPN. "The letter asserts that Chambliss would 'suffer irreparable harm' if he's not granted the waiver."

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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