Stephen A. Smith believes 'special' Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss is Heisman leader

Trinidad Chambliss reached the Division II mountaintop with Ferris State, worked hard to secure the starting job at Ole Miss and led the Rebels to a program-redefining victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Now, after securing an injunction to play one final season, the 24-year-old quarterback has a chance to win the Heisman Trophy , capture an FBS title and complete one of the most incredible college football careers of all-time.

He has a long way to go, but Stephen A. Smith loves what this fierce competitor has accomplished through three games of the 2026 campaign. The prominent ESPN personality believes Chambliss is presently the most deserving man to bring home one of the most prestigious awards in sports.

"If Trinidad's last name was Manning , would he not be the {Heisman} favorite?" he said on SiriusXM's "The Stephen A. Smith Show." " Arch Manning can play. I like him a lot, but Trinidad Chambliss, at least on this level, the brother's special. Everybody better step up and recognize this. It's very, very important that you all know it. I mean it when I say it to you. I have him as the leading candidate for the Heisman."

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Although much can change between now and the Heisman Trophy Ceremony, Chambliss has indeed been among the most impressive signal-callers in the country to this point. He helped his team survive Louisville at a neutral site in Ole Miss' season opener and overshadowed Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford by dissecting LSU's defense. This player has the stats and results that voters crave.

Arch Manning can build a case if Texas stays No. 1 and Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor is captivating fans around the nation, but Chambliss appears to be the leading SEC QB in the Heisman race at this time. Darian Mensah and Jayden Maiava are strong contenders in their own right, though, not to mention 2025 finalist Julian Sayin and Josh Hoover. Jeremiah Smith and Malachi Toney are talented enough to make wide receiver history, so this could be a crowded field.

Trinidad Chambliss is positioned to become the clear man in front, however. If he can lead the Rebels to a win versus No. 21 Florida in The Swamp, he will have prevailed against three ranked opponents in the first month of the season. There will be plenty of time to discuss No. 6's size and NFL potential , but Stephen A. Smith is right to extol his college excellence.

This repeatedly underestimated athlete is making magic with Ole Miss football , and if Chambliss continues to wave the magic wand, then he may have to prepare a big speech in December.