Trinidad Chambliss was already prepared for more bad news from the NCAA. On Wednesday, that news became official.
Ole Miss confirmed its star quarterback lost his appeal to the NCAA for sixth year of eligibility, meaning Chambliss' next step will be in Mississippi state court.
The NCAA on Jan. 9 initially denied Chambliss' request for a waiver to receive a medical redshirt after he argued that persistent respiratory issues prevented him from playing in 2022 when he was a redshirt freshman at Division
II Ferris State.
His performance as an Ole Miss senior transfer in 2025 helped spark the 13-2 Rebels' run to the College Football Playoff, which ended with a 31-27 semifinal loss to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8.
Part of the NCAA's ruling in denying the appeal included the finding that adequate medical evidence from a treating physician wasn't provided in the waiver request.
After the initial denial of the waiver, Chambliss' attorneys filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, requesting an injunction that would allow Chambliss to play in 2026. Denial of the appeal was widely expected.
Ole Miss issued a statement after news of the ruling was made public Wednesday, stating in part, "The NCAA Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee's decision to deny Trinidad's appeal is indefensible in light of the undisputed facts. ... he did not dress for a single game (in 2022) while suffering from severe, incapacitating medical conditions. Those conditions were fully and contemporaneously documented by his treating physician, yet this waiver request was still denied when it should have been approved at the NCAA staff level."
The lawsuit filed on Chambliss' behalf stated, "In Trinidad's case, the NCAA failed in its mission to foster his well-being and development as a student-athlete. The mechanisms (i.e., waiver rules) for granting Trinidad an additional year of eligibility -- so that he has the opportunity to compete in four years of college football -- are available and within the NCAA's control.
"Despite the duty of good faith and fair dealing it owes Trinidad, the NCAA insists on considering the evidence in Trinidad's case in an isolated, rather than comprehensive, manner; interpreting its rules to impose requirements not contained therein; taking unreasonable if not irrational positions; and acting in an arbitrary and capricious manner in its decision-making and ruling."
According to reports, Chambliss' initial hearing for the injunction is expected to take place in Feb. 12 in Chancery Court of Lafayette County in Mississippi.
The Grand Rapids, Mich., product finished eighth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. He intended to return to Ole Miss next season had his waiver been approved, with ESPN reporting that his NIL deal with incentives to be worth more than $6 million.
If he ultimately does not get the sixth year, Chambliss would enter the NFL draft.
He threw for 3,937 yards (third in the nation) on 66.1% passing last season, with 22 touchdown tosses and three interceptions.
--Field Level Media
