Trinidad Chambliss Wins Injunction Against NCAA, Will Suit Up for Ole Miss in 2026
The landscape of college football continues to shift under our feet, and Thursday in Mississippi, we got another clear sign that the NCAA is losing its grip on eligibility enforcement. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is officially cleared to play in 2026 after winning a court battle that could have far-reaching implications across the sport.
This wasn’t just a routine eligibility appeal. It was a full-blown legal showdown, complete with an eight-hour courtroom session, media live streams, and a packed gallery of Ole Miss reporters and fans hanging on every word. And when the dust settled, Judge Robert Whitwell ruled in Chambliss’s favor, granting a preliminary injunction that blocks the NCAA from enforcing its previous denial of a sixth year of eligibility.
The heart of the case? A lost season in 2022 at Ferris State, where Chambliss didn’t play due to lingering tonsillitis and respiratory issues.
The NCAA denied his request for an extra year not once, not twice, but three times. But Judge Whitwell wasn’t buying it.
He ruled that the NCAA ignored credible medical evidence and effectively sidelined a player who had a legitimate reason for missing time.
This injunction doesn’t end the legal battle - it just means Chambliss can take the field while the case continues to work its way through the courts. And let’s be honest: the legal process isn’t exactly known for its speed. So unless something dramatic happens, Chambliss will be under center for the Rebels this fall.
The courtroom drama had all the twists and turns you’d expect from a college football eligibility saga in 2026. The NCAA’s legal team left the building before the judge even read the verdict - a move that didn’t sit well with Judge Whitwell, who took a moment to call them out in open court. Meanwhile, Ole Miss quarterbacks coach Joe Judge (yes, the former Giants head coach) made headlines of his own, joking that Chambliss needed sleep more than midnight baby feedings, referencing the QB’s newborn at home.
And because this is college football, the Fiesta Bowl even made a cameo. Chambliss was asked about the controversial no-call on the final play of that game against Miami.
His answer? “I thought it was pass interference, but it’s hard for a referee to call that.”
That’s about as diplomatic as you’ll hear from a quarterback who just went through a legal battle to get back on the field.
For Ole Miss, this is a massive win. Chambliss is not just a returning starter - he’s the engine of their offense, a leader in the locker room, and a player with unfinished business after last season's dramatic ending. His return instantly stabilizes the Rebels’ quarterback room and gives them a shot to build on the momentum they’ve been generating in the SEC.
But beyond Oxford, this case is part of a bigger trend. Local courts are increasingly becoming the de facto appeals board for NCAA eligibility decisions.
Just ask Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar, who was also in court this weekend. He received a temporary restraining order that allows him to continue training with the Vols while he challenges the NCAA’s ruling on whether his junior college years should count against his eligibility clock.
His case is expected to be a tougher sell, but it’s another example of how players are using the legal system to fight back.
The NCAA’s authority over eligibility is being tested like never before. And in this new era of college football - where players are more empowered, the playoff is expanding, and revenue-sharing is on the horizon - it’s clear that the old rules don’t hold the same weight.
For now, though, Ole Miss gets its guy back. And in the SEC, where every edge matters and every Saturday feels like a playoff, that’s a game-changer.
This may not be the last eligibility hearing we see this offseason. In fact, don’t be surprised if it becomes the norm. Because down here, it just means more.