Judge Clears Ole Miss QB Chambliss for 2026 Season

A Mississippi state court judge ruled Thursday that Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss can play in the 2026 season. Judge Robert Whitwell granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA after a hearing in Lafayette County Chancery Court. This decision lets Chambliss suit up for the Rebels while his full lawsuit plays out.

Background

Trinidad Chambliss started his college career at Ferris State, a Division II school. He redshirted as a freshman in 2021. The next year, in 2022, he sat out the season because of respiratory problems linked to tonsillitis and chronic fatigue. Doctors fixed the issue with surgery to remove his tonsils after that season.

Chambliss transferred to Ole Miss expecting to back up the starter. But in 2025, he took over early when Austin Simmons got hurt. He grabbed the job and ran with it. Chambliss passed for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns. He rushed for 527 yards and eight more scores. That added up to 30 total touchdowns with just three picks. He finished eighth in Heisman voting.

Under his lead, Ole Miss made its first College Football Playoff. They beat Tulane and then Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Chambliss threw for 362 yards and rushed for 14 in that comeback win, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter. The Rebels fell to Miami 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal.

The team faced off-field drama too. Head coach Lane Kiffin left for LSU mid-playoffs. Athletic director Keith Carter said Kiffin could not coach if he took the job. Some tension spilled into the locker room. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. bounced between schools but helped in the playoffs. Now Pete Golding takes over as first-year head coach.

Key Details

Chambliss asked the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility based on his 2022 medical issues. The NCAA turned him down January 9. They said he lacked proof of an incapacitating injury from a treating doctor. His appeal got denied February 5. Ole Miss filed for reconsideration February 9 with new evidence. That got shot down too, also on Thursday.

Chambliss and his lawyers went to state court last month. They picked Lafayette County Chancery Court on purpose. The hearing Thursday lasted over an hour. Chambliss took the stand. He said his Ferris State coach, Tony Annese, told him he would medically redshirt for 2022.

Judge Whitwell, who got his law degree from Ole Miss, sided with Chambliss. He said the NCAA ignored medical evidence and did not act in good faith. Whitwell ruled Chambliss met the bar for a medical redshirt. Denying it would cause irreparable harm.

Ole Miss assistant coach Joe Judge testified too. He explained how another year helps Chambliss' NFL draft chances. Judge noted few quarterbacks with limited starts land big second contracts. Extra experience matters for pro success.

The NCAA pushed back. Their lawyers said medical records show Chambliss chose medication over surgery in 2022 to play. They argued he could have played part-time at Ferris State under Division II rules, which use a 10-semester clock.

"Chambliss clearly met the criteria to receive a medical redshirt for a sixth season," Judge Robert Whitwell said in his ruling.

Ole Miss prepared for life without him. They brought in Auburn transfer Deuce Knight, a top recruit from Mississippi. Knight would start if needed. But now Chambliss, who signed a deal worth over $5 million to return, stays put.

Court Timeline

• January 9: NCAA denies initial waiver.
• February 5: Appeal denied.
• February 9: Ole Miss requests reconsideration.
• Thursday: Reconsideration denied; judge grants injunction.

What This Means

Chambliss becomes the top returning quarterback in the SEC. His stats and playoff run make Ole Miss a real contender for the conference title. The Rebels open against LSU in Week 3. That game pits Chambliss against his old coach's new team.

Fans see this as a win for the program. Ole Miss reached the semifinals without a sixth-year QB. Now with him back under Golding, expectations rise. Knight waits in the wings as the future guy.

This injunction does not end the fight. It just lets Chambliss play 2026. The full case heads to trial later, maybe after the season. Lawyers must prove the medical claim for good.

For Chambliss, it means one more shot at a title. He carried the team last year. Another run could boost his pro stock. Scouts watch how he builds on 2025.

The ruling spotlights NCAA eligibility rules. Players often battle for extra time over injuries. Courts step in when waivers fail. This case shows state judges can block NCAA decisions short-term.

Ole Miss starts camp soon. Chambliss leads workouts already. Teammates welcome the news. The Rebels aim higher in 2026.