Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss loses eligibility appeal, sets up legal battle

• The NCAA has denied Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' appeal for an extra year of college eligibility.
• Chambliss was seeking a medical hardship waiver for his 2022 season, which was affected by illness.
• Chambliss has filed for an injunction against the NCAA, with a hearing scheduled for Feb. 12.

This story has been updated with new information

OXFORD — Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will need to continue his fight for college eligibility in 2026.

The NCAA appeals committee denied Chambliss' appeal on Feb. 4.

Chambliss was seeking a medical hardship waiver for his 2022 season at Ferris State, which was affected by sickness and respiratory problems, according to documents obtained in his lawsuit.

It upholds the NCAA's initial denial of the eligibility waiver on Jan. 9.

It means Chambliss' lawsuit, with attorneys Tom Mars and William Liston, against the NCAA is still necessary.

Chambliss and his lawyers filed for a temporary injunction on Jan. 16. The 34-page lawsuit outlined Chambliss' case for a final year of eligibility. It was filed in Chancery Court of Lafayette County, which was a tactical move.

What Ole Miss football said about Trinidad Chambliss' future

Ole Miss football responded to the decision in a statement on Feb. 4, calling the NCAA Athletics Eligibility subcommittee's decision "indefensible."

The statement ended with an assurance that the university would stand behind Chambliss as his fight for eligibility goes to court.

"Trinidad's representatives will continue to pursue all available legal remedies, and we will publicly stand behind Trinidad while holding the NCAA accountable for a decision that fails to align with its own rules, precedent and the documented medial record," the statement said.

What's next for Ole Miss football, Trinidad Chambliss?

Chambliss still has cards to play.

He sued for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA. A temporary injunction would stop the NCAA from taking action against Chambliss. The hearing is scheduled to be heard Feb. 12.

Robert Whitwell is the judge in Lafayette County Chancery Court who is overseeing the case.

Chambliss is also seeking a permanent injunction against the NCAA. Deciding that could be a lengthy process. If the NCAA loses the lawsuit in Chancery Court of Lafayette County, it could appeal to the Supreme Court of Mississippi.

Why does Trinidad Chambliss want to play at Ole Miss instead of the NFL?

Chambliss has financial motivation to play in college in 2026.

He is likely to earn more money playing for the Rebels than as a mid-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. That reality was outlined as potential damages in his lawsuit.

Chambliss' deal to return to Ole Miss is worth in excess of $5 million, per Yahoo's Ross Dellenger.

For comparison, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough was taken in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth about $2.7 million annually.

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_