Greg McElroy Reveals Expectations for Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss Football in 2026

McElroy reveals the Rebels as an underrated program, eyeing a strong 2026 campaign with Chambliss back in Oxford.

Jan 6, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; ESPN analyst Greg McElroy talks to the media during media day before the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at George R Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In what has quickly become a pivotal offseason for the Ole Miss Rebels, the program has adapted to a new era under Pete Golding with a collective buy-in from the administration.

From hiring a star-studded assistant coaching pool to the No. 2 rated Transfer Portal Class in America with multiple game-changing players, Ole Miss will enter the 2026 season with high expectations.

Along with the new faces both on and off the field, the Rebels will also flaunt an embarrassment of riches when it comes to returning players - headlined by the elite one-two punch of Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy on offense.

On his way to finishing in the Top-10 in Heisman Trophy voting, Chambliss is coming off of a 2025 season with 3,927 yards and 22 touchdowns - while logging 520 rushing yards and eight scores - spearheading the Rebels' College Football Playoff run.

For Lacy, the electrifying running back will also look to carry his momentum into the 2026 season after earning All-America status across his first season in Oxford last fall.

Lacy was one of the best offensive threats in the country all season long for the 13-2 Rebels - holding a season line of 306 attempts for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Courtesy of Ole Miss Rebels Football.

Now, Ole Miss is beginning to generate buzz as a program to keep tabs on this upcoming season in the Southeastern Conference, according to ESPN analyst Greg McElroy.

"Ole Miss is being criminally underrated in the national conversation right now," McElroy said. "Trinidad Chambliss got a chip on his shoulder. Kewan Lacy is probably the best running back in the SEC.

"You've got some solid synergy on the defensive side with Pete Golding's retention... I think a lot of people are kind of sleeping on the Rebels even though they had a tremendous year last year."

Golding's inaugural season at the helm of the program will have all of America tuned in with the Ole Miss Rebels eyeing back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances following Lane Kiffin's departure for the LSU Tigers.

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