This time last year, Trinidad Chambliss was an unknown Division II transfer with a memorable name.
Now, he’s among the prominent playmakers in college football.
His rise from Ferris State to the College Football Playoff semifinal was meteoric and rapid. LSU found out the hard way that he wasn’t an ordinary no-name backup last season when Chambliss and the Rebels rolled up 480 yards on a defense that looked to be among the best in the country in September.
A year later, Chambliss is the headliner in a game that features his former coach and offensive coordinator.
“That’s a that’s a big challenge for us,” LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said of slowing down his former signal caller. “He was the best playing quarterback in the country last year. He took a team to the final four. And he doesn’t make many mistakes. You’ve got to remember, you’re dealing with a really mature quarterback that doesn’t make many mistakes.”
Chambliss only threw three interceptions a season ago versus 22 touchdowns. He threw for 300-plus yards eight times, including against LSU, Oklahoma, Florida and Georgia.
The Tigers, Sooners and Bulldogs finished in the top 27 in total defense nationally.
Now in his sixth year of college football, Chambliss has emerged as a serious Heisman Trophy contender and a major reason Ole Miss ranks (2-0) in the top 10.
“He’s evolved a lot,” said LSU linebacker Whit Weeks. “I think he’s gotten even better than when we saw him last year. He’s definitely going to be a challenge to contain, but it’s a good challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”
Weeks anchored an LSU defense that played 90 snaps against Chambliss and the Rebels a season ago.
In two games this year, LSU has played a total of 108. Many of those have come with reserves on the field in lopsided wins. Weeks, himself, has only played 74 snaps.
“We’re fresh,” Weeks said. “The majority of our drives so far this year have been three-and-outs. Hopefully we’re lucky enough to do that again on Saturday. But we know the challenge ahead of us. So, today (Tuesday) after practice we’re all on the bikes getting extra conditioning in because we know we have to be prepared for long drives.”
The defensive front also has to be prepared for Chambliss to extend plays. He scurried all over the Superdome turf in the quarterfinals against Georgia a season ago, buying time for his receivers to shake free and frustrating rushers trying to corral him.
Last season, Princewill Umanmielen watched from the Ole Miss sideline. This year, he’ll be in purple and gold trying his hand and stopping the Rebel quarterback.
He didn’t call Chambliss by name but made his motives clear.
“They got good players over there, for sure, that are mobile, know how to move around and facilitate around on the defense,” Umanmielen said. “We really just got to keep them in the pocket.”
