Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss comes out a big winner after Dante Moore announces NFL Draft decision

With Dante Moore returning to the Oregon Ducks, Trinidad Chambliss is the big winner.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes in the first half during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Wednesday afternoon brought major news: Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore will return to school for his senior season in 2026.

It’s a fascinating decision for Moore, who was projected to go in the top two of April’s NFL Draft. That would have made him at least a guaranteed $52 million, which is a lot of money to turn down, especially with no guarantee he will go that high in the future. He will get a significant NIL and revenue-sharing package from Oregon, but it won’t come close to what he would get in the NFL.

It also makes things more difficult for teams selecting at the top of the NFL Draft. The New York Jets will suffer the most, as they select second overall and likely won’t have the chance to select Fernando Mendoza.

Top 2026 NFL Draft Quarterback Prospects

  • Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
  • Ty Simpson, Alabama
  • Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
  • Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
  • Carson Beck, Miami

Trinidad Chambliss is the big winner with Dante Moore news

Now that Moore is going back to school, the race for QB2 is wide open. The presumed favorite is Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson, but the big winner is Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

Going into the year, Chambliss wasn’t even on the radar to be a contributor on the field for the Rebels. He transferred in from Division-II Ferris State, where he won a national championship, and it appeared he was coming in to get a head start on his coaching career. It’s something that many quarterbacks will end up doing.

Once Austin Simmons got hurt, Chambliss came in and started playing great football. He led the Rebels to an 11-1 regular-season record and won the first two playoff games in program history. It wasn’t just a great run for Chambliss; he played at an elite level, leading many to believe he had a real NFL future.

With Moore off the board, a player like Chambliss could make his way into the first-round, and his play has exemplified that. With multiple teams like the Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets needing a future quarterback, he could vault into the first round and make himself a lot of money.

The one thing that can change things for Chambliss is if his waiver gets accepted by the NCAA. He would return to Ole Miss in that case, likely putting himself up as a bona fide first-round pick for the 2027 NFL Draft.

If the waiver is denied, Chambliss would already be the big winner in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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