Lawyers for Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss filed a lawsuit on Friday in Lafayette County Chancery Court in Mississippi. They asked the court to force the NCAA to give Chambliss a sixth year of college football eligibility. The NCAA had denied his waiver request last week. Chambliss wants to play one more season with the Rebels in 2026.
Background
Trinidad Chambliss transferred to Ole Miss from Division II Ferris State before the 2025 season. He took over as the starting quarterback after an injury to Austin Simmons in the third game. Chambliss threw for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns with just three interceptions that year. He also ran for 527 yards and eight touchdowns. Those numbers helped Ole Miss reach No. 6 in the rankings and make the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Rebels lost 31-27 to Miami in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8.
Chambliss finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting. He earned SEC Newcomer of the Year honors. Before Ole Miss, he redshirted his freshman year at Ferris State. In 2022, as a sophomore, he did not play. His team said that was due to development needs and team competition. Chambliss said respiratory problems kept him out that year.
Ole Miss filed a waiver request with the NCAA in November. They asked for an extra year because of what they called an incapacitating illness or injury in 2022. The NCAA turned it down on January 9. They said Ole Miss and Ferris State did not provide enough medical proof from a doctor who treated him at the time. A doctor's note from December 2022 said Chambliss was doing very well after an August visit. Ferris State had no records of treatment or injury reports for him that year.
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said the school planned to appeal the NCAA decision. The school also said it would work with Chambliss's team on other options.
Key Details
The lawsuit names attorneys Tom Mars and William Liston. Liston helps run The Grove Collective, which supports Ole Miss athletes. Mars said Ole Miss sent 91 pages of medical records to the NCAA. A doctor's letter in the court filing described Chambliss's issues in 2022-23. It mentioned recurrent throat infections, poor sleep, daytime fatigue, and airway discomfort during exercise.
The suit says the NCAA broke its contract with Ole Miss in bad faith. Chambliss claims he benefits from that contract as a player. Lawyers argue the NCAA looked at evidence in pieces, not as a whole. They say the NCAA added rules that are not in its own policies and made decisions that were arbitrary.
"In Trinidad's case, the NCAA failed in its mission to foster his well-being and development as a student-athlete," the lawsuit states.
Chambliss has a deal to return to Ole Miss in 2026 under new coach Pete Golding. That agreement depends on getting the extra eligibility. Sources say the deal could be worth up to $6 million with incentives.
The NCAA's Side
The NCAA requires medical documents from the time of the injury or illness. They got a note from after the season that showed improvement. Ferris State's records backed their reason for not playing him. The NCAA stood by its denial when asked about the lawsuit.
What This Means
A win in court could let Chambliss play in 2026. Ole Miss signed Deuce Knight, a former Auburn recruit, as a backup plan. Knight would likely start if Chambliss cannot return. Without the extra year, Chambliss enters the NFL Draft this spring. Scouts rank him as the No. 3 quarterback prospect. He trails Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Alabama's Ty Simpson.
This case stands out from others. Most players sue in federal court over antitrust laws. Chambliss's team is not challenging NCAA rules. They want the rules applied as written, based on all the facts.
"We're asking that they be applied as written based on the totality of the circumstances, as required by internal NCAA policy," Mars said.
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction to keep Chambliss eligible right away. A full hearing could come later. Ole Miss hopes to keep its star quarterback for another run at the playoffs. Fans wait to see if a state judge sides with the player or the NCAA. The Rebels lost a close game last month. Another shot with Chambliss could change their path.
Chambliss grew up in Trinidad and Tobago. He holds dual citizenship. His play has drawn attention from pro scouts already. A sixth year would let him build his stats more. It might raise his draft stock higher. Ole Miss built its offense around him this past season. Replacing that production will test the new staff.
The court in Lafayette County handles cases like this for the area. Ole Miss plays home games there. Local ties could play a role. Lawyers picked this court to avoid federal issues. They aim for a quick ruling on the injunction.
Knight's arrival gives depth. He was a top recruit before Auburn. Ole Miss sees him as ready to step up. Still, Chambliss's experience led the team deep into January. Losing him hurts the lineup.
Both sides have strong points. Medical records show issues over time. But NCAA rules demand proof from the exact period. Ferris State's input matches that. The judge will weigh if the NCAA followed its own steps.
Players often fight for extra time these days. Transfer rules and injuries lead to waivers. Not all win. Chambliss's story adds to the list. His success makes it a big one to watch.
