Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted an additional year of eligibility by a state court judge, who issued an injunction that paves the way for Chambliss to be eligible in 2026.
In a ruling that lasted more than an hour Thursday, Judge Robert Whitwell ruled that Chambliss clearly met the criteria to receive a medical redshirt for a sixth season.
Whitwell detailed that the NCAA ignored medical evidence in denying Chambliss a waiver and that a denial this year would have caused irreparable harm to the quarterback. The judge concluded that Chambliss submitted sufficient medical references and that the NCAA did not act in good faith in denying the waiver.
The case was heard in a state court, which was a strategic decision by Chambliss’ lawyers when they filed for an injunction last month.
The hearing for Chambliss follows requests for his sixth year of eligibility, which were denied by the NCAA on Jan. 9 and again on Feb. 5. Ole Miss filed a request for reconsideration from the NCAA, demanding new evidence. That request was filed on Monday and was also denied.
“This decision in a state court illustrates the impossible situation created by multiple court decisions that undermine rules agreed to by the same NCAA members who later challenge them in court,” the NCAA said in a statement. “We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against repeated attempts to rob future generations of the chance to compete in college and the life-changing opportunities that only college sports can create.
“The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to provide more benefits to student-athletes, but a patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for current and future college athletes.”
At the heart of Chambliss’ case is that he missed his sophomore year at Ferris State due to breathing problems. He did not play a snap or dress for a game during the season. He and his mother, Cheryl, detailed how significant the issues were during the 2022 season, with Chambliss weighing just 176 pounds.
Chambliss testified that Ferris State coach Tony Ennis told him he would receive a medical redshirt before the start of the 2022 season. Chambliss testified that he told his doctor that he was constantly sick and dealt with constant flare-ups.
Ole Miss assistant coach Joe Judge testified about how much it would help Chambliss’ NFL draft prospects to return to Ole Miss in 2026, essentially trying to show the damage was irreparable. Judge noted that only three or four college quarterbacks receive a lucrative second contract with one year as a starter in major college football, illustrating the importance of experience and development to improve at the next level.
The NCAA argued that Chambliss’ medical records indicated he chose to forego surgery in 2022 so “he could participate in the football season.” Instead, he chose to manage his condition with medication.
NCAA lawyers also tried to show that Chambliss’ eligibility case for the extra year at Ferris State would have been different in Division II, because he would have been able to enroll as a part-time student to play his sixth year. (Division II operates on a 10-semester calendar, so he would have paused his eligibility if enrolled part-time.)
Ole Miss said in a statement, “We believe this result validates what we have maintained in this process to ensure that Trinidad deserves the opportunity to compete on the field and complete his collegiate career.”
Chambliss emerged as one of college football’s breakout stars in 2025, seizing the starting job at Ole Miss after filling in for the injured Austin Simmons earlier in the season. Chambliss finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.
He transferred from Ferris State hoping to be a backup. He finished as one of the SEC’s most dominant players, finishing the season as the SEC leader in passing yards with 3,937 yards. He threw for 22 touchdowns, rushed for eight more and led Ole Miss to the school’s first College Football Playoff appearance.
Chambliss led Ole Miss to two wins in the CFP, including a masterful performance in a victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Chambliss threw for 362 yards, rushed for 14 yards and led Ole Miss to 20 fourth-quarter points in a comeback victory.
