Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in a Mississippi state court, seeking an additional year of eligibility for the 2026 season, reports ESPN.
The suit, filed January 16 in Lafayette County Chancery Court on behalf of Chambliss and Ole Miss, alleges bad faith breach of contract after the NCAA denied his waiver request on January 9.
Chambliss missed his 2022 sophomore season at Division II Ferris State due to severe respiratory issues, including chronic tonsillitis, adenoiditis, and post-COVID complications that caused breathing difficulties, poor sleep, and fatigue. He provided 91 pages of medical records, doctor statements, and coach testimony supporting the hardship.
After transferring to Ole Miss, Chambliss exploded in 2025, throwing for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns, rushing for 527 yards and eight scores, leading the Rebels to the College Football Playoff semifinals, and earning SEC Newcomer of the Year honors.
Attorney Tom Mars contends the NCAA acted arbitrarily, ignoring evidence and misapplying its own rules.
“We’re not challenging the legality of any NCAA rules,” Mars told ESPN on Friday. “To the contrary, we’re asking that they be applied as written based on the totality of the circumstances, as required by internal NCAA policy, without ignoring certain evidence, misconstruing other evidence, and using arbitrary and tortured interpretations of the language the NCAA used to create the rules.”
The lawsuit seeks injunctions to grant the sixth year without challenging rule legality. Chambliss, who has a lucrative NIL deal lined up, aims to return under new coach Pete Golding.
