Trinidad Chambliss Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility, Shaking Up Browns’ Potential Draft Plans
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation is already a hot topic heading into the offseason. With Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders currently in the room, some argue the position is set.
Others believe another arm could still be in play. But one name that had been floating around as a potential mid-round target-Trinidad Chambliss-is now likely off the draft board entirely.
That’s because Chambliss, the Ole Miss quarterback who turned heads in his lone season at the FBS level, has just been granted an extra year of eligibility by a state judge. Pending an NCAA appeal, he’s expected to return to Oxford in 2026 rather than enter the NFL Draft.
Chambliss’ Unconventional Path
Chambliss’ college football journey has been anything but typical. He spent four years at Ferris State, a Division II powerhouse, before transferring to Ole Miss for the 2025 season.
Despite the jump in competition, Chambliss didn’t miss a beat. He threw for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just three interceptions-a stat line that speaks to both his arm talent and decision-making under pressure.
Initially projected as a Day 2 selection in what’s widely considered a thin quarterback class, Chambliss had a chance to climb draft boards. But instead of preparing for the NFL Combine, he took a different route-one that led him to court.
Medical Redshirt Battle
Chambliss filed a lawsuit challenging the NCAA’s denial of a sixth year of eligibility. He argued that two of his seasons at Ferris State should not count against his eligibility due to respiratory medical conditions that limited his ability to play. On Thursday, Judge Robert Whitwell ruled in his favor, stating that Chambliss clearly met the criteria for a medical redshirt and that the NCAA had ignored substantial medical evidence in its initial denial on January 9.
With the ruling, Chambliss is now eligible to return to Ole Miss for another season-assuming the NCAA doesn’t overturn the decision on appeal.
Dominance at Two Levels
Chambliss isn’t just a feel-good story; he’s a proven winner. At Ferris State, he led the Bulldogs to national championships in 2022 and 2024 and was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year in his final season there. His transition to Ole Miss was expected to be as a backup behind Austin Simmons, but that plan changed quickly.
Simmons went down in Week 2 with an ankle injury against Kentucky. By Week 3, Chambliss was under center, and he never looked back.
He led Ole Miss to an 11-1 regular season, with their only loss coming against Georgia in Week 7. He earned Second Team All-ACC honors and took home the Conerly Trophy, awarded to the top college football player in the state of Mississippi.
Financial Incentives and Draft Fallout
Had Chambliss entered the draft, he was widely projected as a third-round pick-mocked by several outlets to the Browns at No. 78 overall. That’s the same range where Cleveland selected Dillon Gabriel last year. Gabriel signed a four-year deal worth $6.23 million, which gives some context to Chambliss’ decision.
Thanks to the explosion of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Chambliss is expected to earn between $5 million and $8 million if he returns for another season in Oxford. That’s potentially more than he would’ve made on a rookie contract as a third-rounder-especially when you factor in the chance to further improve his draft stock in 2027.
What It Means for the Browns
For Cleveland, this development shifts the board. With Chambliss likely staying in school, the Browns lose a potential mid-round option who could’ve added depth-and possibly more-to their quarterback room. While Watson remains the starter, and Gabriel and Sanders offer intriguing upside, Chambliss was viewed by some scouts as a high-floor, mature prospect who could step in early if needed.
Now, unless the NCAA wins its appeal, Chambliss will have another year to refine his game in the SEC-and the Browns, along with other QB-needy teams, will have to look elsewhere this spring.