Trinidad Chambliss’ quest to play in 2026 clears legal hurdle
A significant legal hurdle for Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to play in 2026 was cleared Friday. An NCAA petition to the Mississippi Supreme Court for a state court ruling — technically, permission to appeal the ruling that will allow Chambliss to play in 2026 — was denied.
The Mississippi Supreme Court issued its decision Friday and did not provide details regarding the decision. The Chambliss deal will continue, but is unlikely to be concluded before the end of next season, meaning he is expected to play for the Rebels.
Chambliss received a state court injunction in February ruling that he was eligible for one more season. The NCAA filed an appeal in early March, saying the organization should have “final decision-making authority” regarding its eligibility rules.
Chambliss’ expected 2026 eligibility looms large over the SEC and college football, as he was one of the sport’s standout players last season. He led Ole Miss to two College Football Playoff victories after transferring from Division II Ferris State.
Chambliss finished last season with 22 touchdown passes and three interceptions, totaling 3,937 yards. He won SEC Newcomer of the Year.
In February, Judge Robert Whitwell ruled in favor of Chambliss for a sixth year of eligibility in a decision that took more than 90 minutes to read. Whitwell determined that the NCAA ignored medical documents from his sophomore season at Ferris State that showed he was medically unready to play. The NCAA had denied Chambliss a medical redshirt for this season.
