ole miss quarterback trinidad chamblis An additional year of eligibility was granted 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’s waiver and that the quarterback would be irreparably harmed if denied this year. The judge concluded that Chambliss presented adequate medical references and that the NCAA did not act in good faith in denying the waiver.
The case was heard in a state court, a strategic decision by lawyers for Chambliss, who filed for an injunction last month.
Chambliss’ hearing came after his request for a sixth year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA on January 9, and then his appeal was denied on February 5. Ole Miss has filed a request for reconsideration from the NCAA, claiming new evidence. That request was filed on Monday and was also rejected.
“This ruling in state court reflects the impossible situation created by separate court decisions that serve to weaken rules agreed to by those same NCAA members who then 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 opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities that only college sports can produce.
“The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to provide greater benefits to student-athletes, but inconsistent state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions have made it necessary to partner with Congress to provide stability for current and future college athletes.”
The crux of Chambliss’s case is that he was unable to play his second year ferris state Due to respiratory problems. He did not play a single match that season, nor did he dress for the games. He and his mother Cheryl detailed how important the issues were during the 2022 season, including Chambliss weighing just 176 pounds.
Chambliss testified that Ferris State coach Tony Annese told him he would be medically redshirted before the start of the 2022 season. Chambliss testified that he had told his doctor that he was constantly sick and had persistent heartburn.
Ole Miss assistant coach Joe Judge testified about how much it would help Chambliss to get noticed by the NFL for draft prospects to return to Ole Miss in 2026, essentially an attempt to show irreparable damage. Judge pointed out that only three or four college quarterbacks received a lucrative second contract as a one-year starter in major college football, highlighting the importance of experience and development to thriving at the next level.
The NCAA had argued that Chambliss’s medical records indicated that he decided to have surgery in 2022 so “he could participate in the football season.” Instead, he chose to manage his condition through medication.
NCAA lawyers also tried to show that Chambliss’s eligibility for an additional year at Ferris State would have been different in Division II, as he would have been able to enroll as a part-time student to essentially play in his sixth year. (Division II operates on a 10-semester calendar, so her eligibility would have been frozen if she had enrolled part-time.)
“We believe this result validates what we have maintained throughout this process that Trinidad deserves the opportunity to compete and complete his collegiate career on the field,” Ole Miss said in a statement.
Chambliss emerged as one of college football’s breakout stars in 2025, earning the starting job at Ole Miss after filling in for injuries. Austin Simmons At the beginning of the season. Chambliss finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Chambliss transferred from Division II Ferris State with the expectation that he would be a backup. He finished as one of the SEC’s most impactful players, and finished the season as the SEC leader in passing yards with 3,337 yards. He threw for 22 touchdowns, scored eight more touchdowns and led Ole Miss to the school’s first College Football Playoff.
He led Ole Miss to two wins in the CFP, including an outstanding performance in one win Georgia In the sugar bowl. Chambliss threw for 362 yards, ran for 14 yards and led Ole Miss to 20 points in the fourth quarter in a comeback victory.
