Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss just got a major win off the field-and it could change the course of the Rebels' 2026 season.
A Mississippi judge has granted Chambliss an injunction that allows him to return for a sixth year of college eligibility. That means, barring a successful NCAA appeal, Chambliss is cleared to suit up this fall.
This ruling didn’t come easy. It was the result of a lengthy court hearing, one that stretched over an hour and dug deep into the details of Chambliss’ medical history and the NCAA’s handling of his waiver request. Judge Robert Whitwell ultimately found that Chambliss met the requirements for a medical redshirt and that the NCAA had ignored key medical evidence in denying his eligibility.
Whitwell didn’t mince words. He ruled that the NCAA failed to act in good faith and that denying Chambliss a sixth year would cause “irreparable harm.” In other words, this wasn’t just a paperwork issue-it was a decision with serious consequences for a player whose college career was hanging in the balance.
The legal team representing Chambliss had filed for the injunction last month, opting to take the case to state court. That move proved to be a smart one. While the NCAA initially denied Chambliss’ waiver on January 9 and then rejected his appeal on February 5, this court ruling effectively overrides those decisions-at least for now.
Ole Miss also went to bat for its quarterback, filing a request for reconsideration with the NCAA earlier this week, citing new evidence. That, too, was denied.
So what does this mean moving forward? The NCAA still has the option to appeal the judge’s decision, but as things stand, Chambliss is on track to return to the field in 2026.
For Ole Miss, that’s a big deal. Chambliss brings veteran leadership and experience to a program looking to make a serious run in the SEC.
This case also highlights the growing tension between athletes’ rights and the NCAA’s decision-making process. Chambliss’ situation isn’t unique-players across the country have fought similar eligibility battles. But this ruling sends a message: courts are willing to step in when the NCAA’s process appears flawed.
For now, though, the focus shifts back to football. Chambliss has a chance to write one more chapter in his college career-and if his time under center matches the fight he just showed in court, Ole Miss fans have every reason to be excited.