Lane Kiffin and LSU lurk as Trinidad Chambliss race heats up with desperate Ole Miss filing NCAA plea

Ole Miss’ season has been a roaring success on the field, but the problems continue to pile up off it.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss took advantage of an early injury to Austin Simmons to lead the sixth seed to a Fiesta Bowl showdown with No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

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The two-time Division II national champion with Ferris State is still waiting to hear the outcome of an appeal to the NCAA over a sixth year of eligibility, which was filed in November.

“I think the NCAA is closed right now,” Chambliss said after a 39-34 upset of No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. “I’m pretty sure they open [Friday]. So hopefully we hear an answer soon.”

The Rebels are desperate for Chambliss to return in 2026 and have filed another letter on their star passer’s behalf to try and secure a decision.

“Based on the ‘objective evidence’ submitted by Ole Miss, it would be absurd for the Committee to conclude that 91 pages of medical records and a detailed letter from Trinidad’s treating physician do not constitute ‘other appropriate medical documentation’ within the meaning of Bylaw 12.6.4.2.2,” noted attorney Tom Mars in the document.

Unfortunately, Ole Miss may become victims of their own success.

Senior ESPN college football writer Pete Thamel expects Chambliss to enter the transfer portal should he be granted an extra year of eligibility.

“There’s high stakes for Chambliss with the NCAA decision. He would be among the top players in the NCAA transfer portal and command millions for 2026 if he’s allowed another year of eligibility,” Thamel posted on X.

That would be a huge blow to Ole Miss, especially as Simmons is set to enter the portal with Missouri his most likely destination.

There will be a large market for Chambliss, who has caught the eye of NFL scouts, after his fairytale rise.

He has racked up 3,660 passing yards with 21 touchdowns and added 520 yards, as well as eight scores, on the ground in 2025.

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Lane Kiffin linked with Trinidad Chambliss swoop

Among the QB-needy teams cited as destinations are Lane Kiffin’s LSU in what would be a bitter pill to swallow for the Rebels.

Kiffin’s departure for Louisiana during the best season in the program’s history caused plenty of controversy, with Nick Saban keen for an NFL-style calendar to avoid a repeat.

His actions since have thrown further fuel on the fire.

Kiffin claimed the players wanted him to stay on and coach the Playoff run — something that appears to be far from the case, according to the reaction since.

He then insisted he wanted top attend the game against Georgia, leading defensive tackle Zxavian Harris to hit out

“He was just trying to steal our shine. That’s all he’s trying to do. That’s all he’s been trying to do, is steal our shine,” he said via ESPN.

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“Like a slap and the backhand. He was trying to be a troll. We’re going to troll him. We got something for him.”

Kiffin brought several assistants with him, some of whom returned to help new coach Pete Golding in the CFP quarterfinal.

But with the portal opening, Charlie Weis Jr., Joe Cox, George McDonald, and Kevin Smith may be unable to return for the Hurricanes contest as they are under contract with the Tigers.

Ole Miss’ playoff run has already earned Kiffin $500,000 and he would make seven figures if they go all the way.

Thankfully for the Rebels, LSU will foot the bill.

Despite the turbulence, Golding has stepped up admirably and given the players full credit for giving themselves a shot at glory in what is a wide-open race behind favorite Indiana.

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