Trinidad Chambliss 2027 NFL Draft: scouting report for Ole Miss, QB
After a storybook season where the former Ferris State QB led the Rebels to the semifinals, is Trinidad Chambliss a future NFL starter?
Height: 5-11
Weight: 205 pounds
Year: RS Senior
Pro Comparison: Russell Wilson
Pros for Trinidad Chambliss
- Comfortable throwing on the move and displays good accuracy when doing so.
- Is a plus runner. Chambliss displays good burst and vision in the open field, able to eat up yards quickly
- Smooth operator in rhythm. Is a consistent passer
- Tight windows aren’t a problem for Chambliss. He attacks them from the pocket and on the move
- Pocket management is solid. Evades pressure well and stays composed when defenders collapse the pocket.
Cons for Trinidad Chambliss
- Size is an issue. Measuring in slightly under 6-0, he takes deeper dropbacks 3.35% batted throw percentage
- Arm strength isn’t elite. Has enough juice to make the necessary throws, but it’s not an elevated trait, and the ball can die on him when throwing to the outside.
- Ball placement can get a little spotty.
- Doesn’t have much experience with full field progressions with the offenses he’s played in
Background
You don’t often see quarterbacks come from the D-II level come up to the FBS and become a starting quarterback, let alone thrive for a team in the SEC. Chambliss did that for the Rebels after Austin Simmons suffered an ankle injury in Week 2.
Playing for D-II Ferris State, Chambliss thrived in a multitude of ways, operating a spread offense that utilized creativity in a variety of ways. In 2024 as a junior, Chambliss thrived, throwing for nearly 3,000 and rushing for over 1,000 en route to the national championship.
Once he got the starting job for the Rebels, Chambliss didn’t look back. He led the Rebels to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, and they were a play or two away from making the finals against the Indiana Hoosiers. Chambilss led an explosive and efficient offense with nearly 4,000 passing yards and another 527 on the ground.
Due to missing the 2022 season, Chambliss filed an injunction to allow him the ability to play in the 2026 season, giving him one more year to put good football on tape.
Player evaluation
Chambliss is a fascinating player. There is quite the learning curve going up to the FBS level, let alone the SEC. Chambliss thrived once he got the starting role, and his best games were against the best competition. His College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Georgia Bulldogs is one of the best single game performances of the season.
As a passer, Chambliss is a capable player. He throws well on the run, more than comfortable rolling out and/or scrambling. Chambliss displays good ball placement in all phases of throwing the ball, and his rushing ability helps maximize the impact of the offense. When he is operating in the pocket, Chambliss is smooth working in rhythm, operating on schedule with RPOs and in structure.
Even with that, Chambliss doesn’t have a lot of experience working through progressions. That will be a tough transition in the NFL. He also doesn’t have a cannon for an arm. Chambliss has capable arm strength, but it’s not going to elevate the offense. His ball placement can get a bit spotty, often when he tries to throw a frozen rope. His biggest downfall is size. He’s built like Russell Wilson, but isn’t nearly as stout. Being able to see down the field can be an issue, as will his deeper dropbacks.
Right now, Chambliss projects as a day two, early day three quarterback who could develop into a starter, but he will turn 25 during his first training camp. One more year in the SEC will hopefully help him develop enough to be a day one starter in the NFL, or at least have a small development curve.