Although there were no LSU football players attending this year’s Manning Passing Academy in Thibodeaux, Louisiana, there was a lot of buzz regarding the Tigers and Lane Kiffin throughout the camp.
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss was a key reason for that. The 6th year quarterback participated as a counselor alongside other college quarterbacks for the camp’s 30th anniversary. However, all eyes were on him when asked about his thoughts on the LSU-Ole Miss game – explaining what he thinks of his former head returning to Oxford on September 19.
“You try to make it seem, you know, as regular as you can,” Chambliss said. “But I mean, seeing the people talk about it on social media, it’s kind of like the hot topic right now. So, just trying to go win it all in that game.”
Since Kiffin’s departure from the Rebels, Chambliss is set to lead the offense under new head coach and former defensive coordinator Pete Golding. Yet, even with a change in coaching staff, Chambliss expressed how he expects the same productivity on offense compared to last season.
“Me playing under a defensive coach … like it really hasn’t changed like our practice format said. “It’s been the same. But it’s good to go up against a defense that P.G. (Pete Golding) runs.”
“We’ve had one of the better defenses. [He] puts a lot of different schemes and throws a lot at you. Iron sharpens iron, and it’s good to see that defense every day.”
In 2025, Chambliss threw nearly 4,000 yards and 20 touchdowns while leading Ole Miss to the College Football Playoffs Semi-Final Game. That success didn’t happen by chance as Chambliss credits his success to playing under an offensive-minded coach like Kiffin.
“Kiffin’s been in the coaching game for a while,” Chambliss said. “He sees things that other coaches really can’t see, which I give props to. He’ll talk to me after a play in practice and I’ll be like, ‘Dang, like I didn’t even see that. Okay, that’s a really good concept. Draw it on the board.’’’
“I would say he’s really keen on that and he’s really good at coaching football.”
With less than 60 days till the 2026 College Football Season kicks off, Chambliss is eyeing Kiffin’s return to Oxford, Mississippi, stating that he’s ready to face his former coach in a game that is set to be one of the most highly anticipated games of the year.
