Stephen A. Smith tabs Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss as early Heisman front-runner
The short version
- Stephen A. Smith named Trinidad Chambliss his current Heisman Trophy front-runner on his SiriusXM show
- Chambliss, 24, won a Division II title at Ferris State before starring at Ole Miss, including a Sugar Bowl win over Georgia
- He is playing a final season after securing an injunction for extra eligibility
- Ole Miss faces No. 21 Florida next, with a chance for a third ranked win this month
The ESPN personality called the 24-year-old Rebels quarterback 'special' and his current pick for the Heisman Trophy on his SiriusXM show.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said on his SiriusXM show that Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is currently his leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Smith compared Chambliss favorably to Texas quarterback Arch Manning, arguing that Chambliss deserves recognition as the front-runner three games into the 2026 season.
Chambliss, 24, won a Division II national title at Ferris State before transferring to Ole Miss, where he won the starting job and led the Rebels to a Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia. He is playing this season after securing an injunction that allowed him one more year of eligibility.
Through three games, Chambliss has guided Ole Miss past Louisville at a neutral site and an LSU team visiting Oxford with coach Lane Kiffin facing his former program. He wears No. 6 for the Rebels.
Other contenders in the early Heisman conversation include Arch Manning of Texas, Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor, Darian Mensah, Jayden Maiava, 2025 finalist Julian Sayin, Josh Hoover, and receivers Jeremiah Smith and Malachi Toney.
Chambliss can strengthen his case Saturday when Ole Miss visits No. 21 Florida in Gainesville. A win would give the Rebels three victories over ranked opponents in the season's first month.
