Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' legal representation filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Mississippi on Friday, asking for an injunction which would make Chambliss eligible to return to the Rebels in 2026.
Chambliss, who began his career at Division II Ferris State, transferred to Ole Miss ahead of the 2025 season and led the Rebels to a program-record 13 wins and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance.
The NCAA denied Chambliss' waiver request for a sixth year of collegiate eligibility
on Jan. 9. Chambliss didn't play in 2022 at Ferris State, citing persistent respiratory issues, but the NCAA ruled that adequate medical evidence from a treating physician wasn't provided in the waiver request.
"In Trinidad's case, the NCAA failed in its mission to foster his well-being and development as a student-athlete," the lawsuit says. "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."
Chambliss led the Bulldogs to a D2 national championship in 2024 before completing 66.1% of his passes for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions with 527 rushing yards and eight scores for the Rebels. He finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.
While Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin left before the playoff run to take the head coaching vacancy at LSU, Chambliss had already signed to return to Ole Miss under new coach Pete Golding for a deal reportedly worth as much as $6 million including incentives before his waiver request was denied.
--Field Level Media
