Latest News on Trinidad Chambliss Case Amid NCAA, Court Rulings for Ole Miss QB

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss reportedly will get to play a sixth season of college football after all.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that a state court judge in Mississippi granted Chambliss a preliminary injunction that gives him a sixth year of eligibility, paving the way for him to return to the Rebels for the 2026 season despite the NCAA ruling him ineligible.

The NCAA released a statement criticizing the decision, via Thamel:

“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. 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. The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for current and future college athletes.”

Ole Miss also released a statement following the news:

Chamliss’ former coach Lane Kiffin, who is now the coach of LSU, reacted on social media:

Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported earlier on Thursday that the NCAA denied Ole Miss’ request for a reconsideration of Chambliss’ eligibility waiver after determining that the new evidence submitted by the university did not meet the threshold for a reconsideration. This marked the third time that the NCAA denied his waiver request, as it already denied his previous appeal following his initial submission.

Chambliss had a preliminary injunction hearing on Thursday morning after suing the NCAA in an attempt to secure preliminary and permanent injunctions that would grant him a sixth year of college eligibility. In the end, Mississippi judge Robert Whitwell granted his request.

B/R’s NFL Scouting Department ranked Chambliss as the No. 4 quarterback in the 2026 draft class in its latest big board, projecting him as a potential third-round selection. Instead, he will be returning to school for another year.

Pete Nakos of On3.com explained that Chambliss’ desire for a sixth year of eligibility stemmed from missing the 2022 season while at Ferris State due to respiratory issues after already using his redshirt year in 2021.

“The NCAA denied Chambliss’ waiver for a sixth year because Ole Miss and the quarterback didn’t provide sufficient medical evidence from a treating physician that showed he was suffering from an ‘incapacitating injury or illness,'” Nakos wrote.

While reading his ruling, Judge Whitwell said, “The NCAA breached its duty of good faith and acted in bad faith,” per Dellenger.

Chambliss had a star-making run while leading Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Despite being undersized at 6’0″ and 205 pounds, his elusiveness as a dual-threat quarterback made him an intriguing NFL prospect.

Chambliss will now have the chance to increase his stock even further with another year at Ole Miss before making the jump to the professional level.