Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin press conference previews OU
Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin discussed the Rebels’ upcoming matchup with Oklahoma, and the challenges created by the Sooners’ elite defense
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has been one of the best stories in college football this season, given his unorthodox path to the SEC.
Chambliss, a first-year transfer from Division II Ferris State, opened the season as the Rebels’ backup quarterback behind Austin Simmons. Chambliss then took over for Simmons after an injury, and has yet to give the job back.
The 6-foot-1 quarterback is leading an offense that’s absolutely humming this season, with Ole Miss averaging 37.4 points per game to rank 16th nationally. Ole Miss also ranks No. 8 nationally in total offense. Chambliss not only came from Division II, but also he wasn’t a full-time starter until his redshirt junior season in 2024. He led Ferris State to an undefeated season and a national championship last year.
Of course, the quarterback isn’t from Trinidad or Tobago, nor is he named after the country — but that hasn’t stopped Ole Miss fans from flying the country’s flag for their breakout signal-caller.
Here’s what to know of Ferris State, a school getting mentioned quite a lot these days due to Chambliss’ breakout season.
Where is Ferris State?
Ferris State, one of the more recently dominant Division II football programs, is located in Big Rapids, Michigan. Its campus is less than a three-hour drive from the University of Michigan.
The Bulldogs have three national championships in football, all of which have come in the last four seasons (2021, 2022, 2024). They seem to be a top contender again in 2025, as they’re 7-0 to start the season after Chambliss left the program.
13th-year coach Tony Annese has a 144-21 career record at Ferris State, finishing with three or fewer losses each season outside of his first year in 2012. The program has finished ranked in the top 10 in every season since 2015.
Ferris State opened in 1884 and became a public university in 1950. It also has a satellite campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Why did Trinidad Chambliss transfer from Ferris State?
Chambliss started receiving transfer portal offers in December during Division I bowl season, Annese told The Athletic. He initially decided to stay at Ferris State for his fifth and final season, however.
But teams kept hounding Chambliss about making the jump to Division I, and he ultimately decided to enter the transfer portal in the spring window. He was also paid quite nicely by Ole Miss, which reportedly gave the fifth-year quarterback a $500,000 contract, according to CBS Sports.
Temple made a strong push for Chambliss, according to CBS Sports, but Chambliss decided on the Rebels, despite returning quarterback Austin Simmons being the favorite to start for Ole Miss. CBS Sports reported Chambliss was sold on the idea of competing for the job.
Turns out he made the right move, as he’s now leading the charge for a top-10 ranked team in his final season of college eligibility.
Trinidad Chambliss stats
Here are Chambliss’ college stats, including his production at Ferris State.
- 2021 (Ferris State): Redshirt
- 2022 (Ferris State): No stats
- 2023 (Ferris State): 21 of 33 passing for 354 yards with five touchdowns to an interception; 41 rushes for 304 yards with four touchdowns
- 2024 (Ferris State): 226 of 367 passing for 2,925 yards with 26 touchdowns to six interceptions; 171 rushes for 1,019 yards with 25 touchdowns
- 2025 (Ole Miss): 104 of 166 passing (62.7%) for 1,549 yards with 8 touchdowns to an interception; 70 carries for 323 yards with five touchdowns
