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OXFORD — Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss feels pressure in 2026, and it is welcome.
College football analyst Kirk Herbstreit added to the sky-high expectations for Chambliss entering the 2026 season. In an Aug. 4 interview on ESPN's "Pat McAfee Show," Herbstreit said no player tops Chambliss' pedigree entering the season.
"I think, by the way, the face of the sport going into the season − as much as people are going to talk about (Texas quarterback) Arch Manning − I really think Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss," Herbstreit said. "Him getting that (extra) year, it looked like he might not get it. Then they went down to Oxford and talked to a judge and everything got taken care of. He is so refreshing when you get around this guy. You should have him on the show before the season starts if you haven't had him on yet. You'll instantly fall in love with his personality."
Chambliss won a preliminary injunction against the NCAA in the offseason. The win in a Pittsboro County courtroom made him eligible to return.
Chambliss didn't shy away from the expectations that come with that type of praise after Ole Miss' first preseason practice on Aug. 6.
"I feel like pressure is a privilege," Chambliss said when asked about Herbstreit's comments. "I prayed to be in this situation. This is what I've asked for. I'm grateful that God has given me this opportunity to be the quarterback at Ole Miss and have the platform that I have. There is some pressure, but it's what I've asked for."
Ole Miss coach Pete Golding said he's "all for" Herbstreit's opinion, but quickly pointed out that preseason praise is just noise, and postseason praise is all that matters.
"I hope he's the face of college football at the end of the year," Golding said. "That's the key around this game. Make sure people are excited at the end of the year. Make sure you're up for these awards at the end of the year."
Chambliss is one of the favorites in the Heisman Trophy race for 2026. He enters with the No. 3 odds (+900) in the nation behind Manning and co-favorite Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr (+750), per Bet MGM.
Chambliss finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2025. Ole Miss will start the season against Louisville on Sept 6 (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) in a neutral site game in Nashville, Tennessee.
"I've just got to do what I've been taught to do, what I've done my whole life, and that is just to play ball," Chambliss said.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How Trinidad Chambliss reacted to Kirk Herbstreit calling him face of college football
Continue reading...
College football analyst Kirk Herbstreit added to the sky-high expectations for Chambliss entering the 2026 season. In an Aug. 4 interview on ESPN's "Pat McAfee Show," Herbstreit said no player tops Chambliss' pedigree entering the season.
"I think, by the way, the face of the sport going into the season − as much as people are going to talk about (Texas quarterback) Arch Manning − I really think Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss," Herbstreit said. "Him getting that (extra) year, it looked like he might not get it. Then they went down to Oxford and talked to a judge and everything got taken care of. He is so refreshing when you get around this guy. You should have him on the show before the season starts if you haven't had him on yet. You'll instantly fall in love with his personality."
Chambliss won a preliminary injunction against the NCAA in the offseason. The win in a Pittsboro County courtroom made him eligible to return.
What Trinidad Chambliss said about Kirk Herbstreit comments
Chambliss didn't shy away from the expectations that come with that type of praise after Ole Miss' first preseason practice on Aug. 6.
"I feel like pressure is a privilege," Chambliss said when asked about Herbstreit's comments. "I prayed to be in this situation. This is what I've asked for. I'm grateful that God has given me this opportunity to be the quarterback at Ole Miss and have the platform that I have. There is some pressure, but it's what I've asked for."
Ole Miss coach Pete Golding said he's "all for" Herbstreit's opinion, but quickly pointed out that preseason praise is just noise, and postseason praise is all that matters.
"I hope he's the face of college football at the end of the year," Golding said. "That's the key around this game. Make sure people are excited at the end of the year. Make sure you're up for these awards at the end of the year."
Chambliss is one of the favorites in the Heisman Trophy race for 2026. He enters with the No. 3 odds (+900) in the nation behind Manning and co-favorite Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr (+750), per Bet MGM.
Chambliss finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2025. Ole Miss will start the season against Louisville on Sept 6 (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) in a neutral site game in Nashville, Tennessee.
"I've just got to do what I've been taught to do, what I've done my whole life, and that is just to play ball," Chambliss said.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How Trinidad Chambliss reacted to Kirk Herbstreit calling him face of college football
Continue reading...
