Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss’ NCAA appeal denied, but legal fight continues

Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ appeal to the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility so he can play for the Rebels next season has been denied, the university announced Wednesday, but the fight is not over.

The NCAA initially denied Chambliss’ request for a sixth year of college football eligibility on January 9. So an appeal was made to the NCAA Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee, which was also denied.

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Ole Miss released a statement saying the NCAA’s decision was “indefensible in light of the undisputed facts.”

Chambliss also took his fight to state court, where the case is pending.

Chambliss “will continue to pursue all available legal remedies, and we will publicly support Trinidad while holding the NCAA accountable for a decision that is inconsistent with its own rules, precedent and documented medical record,” the Ole Miss statement said.

Ole Miss’ arguments revolve around the fact that Chambliss, 23, although he has been at the university for five years, has only played three years of college football due to his medical history.

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“Trinidad first enrolled at Ferris State in the fall of 2021, but a medical and physical incapacity prevented him from adequately training, conditioning, and developing athletically,” the court complaint states.

After redshirting his freshman season at Ferris State in 2021-22, Chambliss was held out in his sophomore season for medical reasons.

He played two more seasons at Division II school Michigan, leading the Bulldogs to a national championship before transferring to Ole Miss before the start of this season.

Chambliss completed 294 of 445 passes (66.1%) for 3,937 yards with 22 touchdowns and three interceptions for Ole Miss (13-2), which set a school record for wins, including two after making the College Football Playoff for the first time. He ran for 527 yards and eight more touchdowns.

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The Rebels lost 31-27 to Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinals on January 8.

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