ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck has projected Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to claim the Heisman Trophy this season, placing him ahead of Texas signal-caller Arch Manning in the early race for college football’s most prestigious individual award.
During Thursday’s episode of “Get Up,” Hasselbeck highlighted the dynamic playmaking ability that defined Chambliss’ breakout 2025 campaign.
“The exciting, kind of wild moment, Heisman moment type play, I think we’ll get more of those from [Trinidad] Chambliss,” Hasselbeck said while discussing the two quarterbacks’ prospects.
The prediction comes as the 2026 college football season approaches, with both players expected to feature prominently in Heisman conversations. Chambliss, a sixth-year senior who transferred from Division II Ferris State, earned a court-ordered extra year of eligibility after leading the Rebels to their first College Football Playoff appearance last season.
In 2025, Chambliss completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He added 527 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground, finishing eighth in Heisman voting despite starting only after an early-season injury to the previous starter.
Those numbers helped Ole Miss set a program record with 13 wins and advance to the playoff semifinals.
Hasselbeck’s endorsement underscores the dual-threat skills that set Chambliss apart. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, the Michigan native does not fit the prototypical NFL mold preferred by many scouts, yet that has little bearing on Heisman voting. Voters historically reward production and highlight-reel plays over pure size or pedigree.
Manning, the highly touted redshirt junior from the famed football family, enters the year as one of the betting favorites. Sportsbooks list him among the top contenders, often neck-and-neck with Notre Dame’s CJ Carr in the +700 to +750 range. Chambliss typically sits a tier below at around +900 to +1,300 depending on the book.
Last season, Manning passed for more than 3,100 yards and accounted for over 30 total touchdowns while guiding Texas through a challenging campaign that ended with a strong finish. He closed the year with improved efficiency and mobility, traits that fuel expectations for a leap forward in 2026.
Still, Hasselbeck sees Chambliss’ proven ability to create explosive plays as a decisive edge. The Ole Miss offense returns key pieces, including a productive running back, even after coaching changes and the departure of several wide receivers. Analysts note the system remains largely familiar, allowing Chambliss to build on his late-season surge.
Chambliss’ path adds narrative weight that often resonates with voters. From an overlooked Division II champion to SEC Newcomer of the Year and playoff star, his story contrasts with Manning’s high-profile upbringing as the nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.
The two quarterbacks could face each other in a high-stakes SEC matchup later this fall, providing a potential head-to-head measuring stick. A strong performance by either player in that contest would likely reshape the Heisman odds significantly.
Early season results will prove critical. History shows preseason favorites rarely claim the trophy, with only a handful succeeding over the past decade and a half. Chambliss’ experience under pressure in the playoffs last year may give him an advantage in navigating the intense scrutiny that accompanies Heisman contention.
Hasselbeck’s comments reflect a growing consensus among some analysts that Chambliss’ combination of arm talent, mobility and proven big-game production positions him as a serious threat. Whether that translates into New York in December remains to be seen, but the conversation has officially begun with the “Get Up” prediction.
Ole Miss opens its season later this month under first-year head coach Pete Golding. Texas, meanwhile, looks to build on its recent success under Steve Sarkisian with Manning firmly established as the face of the program.
