The NCAA is appealing an injunction granted to Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, which allowed him to play in 2026. The organisation is challenging his eligibility to compete. According to ESPN, the 658-page filing urges the Mississippi State Supreme Court to overturn a local jurisdiction’s decision made in February.
NCAA’s Argument Against Chambliss
The NCAA argues that the injunction provides Chambliss with an extra year of eligibility not available to other student-athletes under NCAA bylaws. They state that Ole Miss would benefit from having a star quarterback who is no longer eligible to compete. The document reads that this outcome is unfair to Division I schools who follow the rules and have to compete against Ole Miss in the 2026-27 season, or who may be displaced by Ole Miss for postseason competition. They argue that any harm caused cannot be undone through an appellate decision following a final judgment.
Chambliss’ Legal Team Responds
Chambliss’ attorney, Tom Mars, remains confident that the appeal will be unsuccessful. Mars referenced the Alston case, where the Supreme Court ruled against the NCAA. He anticipates a similar outcome in this appeal.
Chambliss received a temporary injunction on February 12 after suing the NCAA in Lafayette County Chancery Court in Mississippi. He had petitioned the NCAA for a medical waiver to grant him another year of eligibility related to a respiratory condition in 2022.
Background to the Eligibility Dispute
The NCAA denied Chambliss’ appeal multiple times, most recently in February, leading him to take his case to court. His legal representation stated that the former Division II transfer missed the 2022 season due to complications from tonsillitis and chronic fatigue. He had a typical redshirt campaign in 2021 before playing in each of the last three seasons, becoming one of the SEC’s top players last autumn as a College Football Playoff entrant.
The NCAA argued that proper documentation from that time period was not provided. They added that Ferris State’s reasoning for Chambliss not playing after redshirting the previous season was due to “development needs and our team’s competitive circumstances.”
Impact on Ole Miss and Quarterback Depth
Chambliss helped fuel the first CFP appearance in program history last autumn for the Rebels with 3,927 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. With Austin Simmons moving on to Missouri after the season, the Rebels moved to secure their depth chart in case Chambliss was unsuccessful in his fight for a sixth season. Ole Miss signed Auburn transfer Deuce Knight in January.
Knight redshirted last autumn after only appearing in two games. He recorded an Auburn record-tying six touchdown outing in his only start (Mercer). Knight threw for 239 yards and picked up another 162 yards rushing.
The NCAA’s appeal to the Mississippi State Supreme Court adds another layer to the ongoing eligibility battle surrounding Chambliss and his potential to play in the 2026 season.