Trinidad Chambliss is (for now) all set up for a sixth season of eligibility.
A Mississippi state court judge has granted the Ole Miss quarterback Chambliss an additional season of eligibility, paving the way for him to play in 2026 (Pete Thamel of ESPN reported on Thursday). The NCAA will still be able to appeal the decision however, and they also came out with a strong statement on Thursday rebuking the ruling.
“This decision in a state court illustrates the impossible situation created by differing court decisions that serve to undermine rules agreed to by the same NCAA members who later challenge them in court,” the NCAA’s official statement read in part. “We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against repeated attempts to rob future generations of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create.”
Chambliss, 23, completed his redshirt senior season with Ole Miss in 2025, throwing for an SEC-leading 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns to help lead the Rebels to a berth in the CFP semifinal. But in the middle of the season, Chambliss petitioned the NCAA to grant him a sixth season of eligibility, arguing that he effectively did not play in his sophomore season at Ferris State due to respiratory issues (only appearing in two games).
Last month, the NCAA formally denied Chambliss’ request. However, Chambliss responded by suing the NCAA in Mississippi state court (with Ole Miss also filing an appeal of the NCAA’s decision that was eventually denied).
The situation has since gotten extremely toxic with Chambliss’ attorney publicly ripping the NCAA and Ole Miss delivering some harsh words for the association as well. Now Mississippi judge Robert Whitwell has handed a big victory to Chambliss and Ole Miss by granting the quarterback a preliminary injunction to play in the 2026 season (though the NCAA is almost guaranteed to fight the decision from here).
