The quarterback room at Ole Miss just got a whole lot more complicated.
In a twist that could send shockwaves through the Rebels’ offseason plans, a Mississippi court has ruled in favor of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, granting him an injunction that makes him eligible to play in the 2026 college football season. And while that’s good news for Chambliss, it’s already creating some very visible tension within the program-most notably from transfer quarterback Deuce Knight.
Knight, who arrived in Oxford after a stint at Auburn, made headlines of his own this week-not with words, but with actions. He scrubbed all Ole Miss-related content from his Instagram account, a move that in today’s college football landscape often signals frustration or a potential departure. It’s the digital era’s version of slamming the locker room door.
Here’s the backstory: Knight transferred to Ole Miss after Auburn hired Alex Golesh, who brought along his quarterback from USF, Byrum Brown. That move pushed Knight to seek a fresh start elsewhere, and Ole Miss offered just that. According to reports, Knight was told by head coach Pete Golding that the starting job was essentially his to lose-especially with the assumption that Chambliss was on his way out, either due to eligibility issues or an early jump to the NFL.
But Chambliss isn’t going anywhere. The court’s decision to reinstate him throws a wrench into what looked like a clear quarterback succession plan. Knight, who transferred with the expectation of being QB1, now finds himself in a crowded and uncertain battle for the job.
And that’s where things get tricky for Ole Miss. Knight’s social media scrub is more than a passive-aggressive move-it could be a signal that he’s reconsidering his future with the program. If Knight walks and Chambliss’ eligibility is challenged again-say, through an NCAA appeal-the Rebels could find themselves without either option under center.
It’s a high-stakes game of musical chairs, and the music just stopped. The NCAA still has the ability to appeal the court’s ruling, which could once again sideline Chambliss. But if they don’t, Ole Miss will need to navigate some delicate roster management-and fast.
From a football standpoint, both Chambliss and Knight bring high ceilings to the position. Chambliss has the experience and playmaking ability that made him a cornerstone of the offense.
Knight, meanwhile, is a talented transfer who was ready to take the reins and prove himself in the SEC. Losing either one would be a blow.
Losing both? That’s a nightmare scenario.
For now, all eyes are on Oxford. The quarterback carousel is spinning, and Ole Miss has to decide how to keep it from flying off the rails.