Trinidad Chambliss’ efforts to get an extra year of eligibility have paid off.
The University of Mississippi quarterback obtained an injunction in a Mississippi court on Thursday that would allow him to play for the Rebels in 2026. Chambliss, a transfer from Ferris State, argued he should get a medical redshirt in 2022 while still with the Bulldogs and deal with health issues before having his tonsils removed in 2024. Chambliss redshirted in 2021 while at Ferris State. And not appearing in the 2022 game.
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Judge Robert Whitwell issued the injunction after the NCAA twice denied Chambliss’ request for a sixth year of eligibility. In January, the governing body denied his request for immunity and later denied his appeal. During Thursday’s hearing, it was revealed that the NCAA rejected Chambliss’ request to reconsider its decision.
Whitwell noted before issuing the injunction that the NCAA’s attorneys had left the courtroom and were not present when he issued his ruling Thursday afternoon. Whitwell spoke for more than an hour before making his ruling, and during his remarks it became clear that he would rule in Chambliss’ favor, as he noted that the NCAA operated in “bad faith” and refused to grant him immunity regardless of Chambliss’ health issues.
Whitwell also made it clear that he was not ruling the NCAA’s rules illegal or making a larger case for the NCAA’s eligibility system.
Chambliss, 23, is one of the budding stars in college football’s 2025 class. After filling in for the injured Austin Simmons in Mississippi’s second game of the season, Chambliss totaled 30 touchdowns with just three interceptions and helped Mississippi reach the College Football Playoff semifinals, where it lost to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
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Chambliss’ performance in the quarterfinal game against Georgia will forever be etched in Mississippi lore. He completed 30 of 46 passes for 362 yards and two scores, helping the Rebels outscore the Bulldogs 27-13 in the second half to win the Sugar Bowl 39-34.
His return to Mississippi State is a huge boost for the Rebels as they look to return to the College Football Playoff under new coach Pete Golding. The former Mississippi State defensive coordinator became the team’s head coach before the playoffs in December after Lane Kiffin decided to leave Mississippi State for the vacant position at LSU.
To say Chambliss’ return to Oxford for a second season is a momentous one might be an understatement. Simmons transfers to Missouri after the season, and Auburn transfer Draw Knight will be the favorite to start for the Rebels if Chambliss doesn’t return.
Even with Kiffin and former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. now at LSU, Chambliss could be one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy before the 2026 season. Ole Miss added the 18th transfer player in the country this offseason, signing Michigan RB Makhi Frazier and (controversial) Clemson LB Luke Ferrelli, among others, according to On3.
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With Chambliss set to play for the Rebels next season, there’s also an eligibility question among the SEC’s starting quarterbacks. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar was handed a temporary restraining order as he tries to play his seventh season of college football, and a hearing will be held Friday to discuss a possible ban that would clear the way for him to play next season.
