A Mississippi judge has denied the NCAA's appeal in a lawsuit filed by University of Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, ruling him eligible for a sixth season of college football.[1][2]
Chambliss, who transferred from Division II Ferris State University to Ole Miss ahead of the 2024 season, sought the extra year due to missing the 2022 season at Ferris State because of respiratory issues. The NCAA rejected his request on January 9, 2026, stating that he and Ferris State failed to provide evidence of an "incapacitating injury or illness."[1][3]
In the lawsuit filed in Calhoun County, Mississippi, the judge ruled last month that the NCAA acted in "bad faith" by denying eligibility. The NCAA appealed the decision following a February 12, 2026, hearing at the Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro.[2][4]
The NCAA argued that Chambliss had exhausted his eligibility for Division I football, having played four seasons within a five-year period.[1][3]
Ole Miss, competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), reached the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl but lost 31-27 to Miami on January 8, 2026, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.[5][6]
The Rebels' postseason followed controversy surrounding head coach Lane Kiffin's departure to LSU, with athletic director Keith Carter stating Kiffin could not coach in the playoffs if he left. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. assisted during the playoff games.[4][7]
Ole Miss and LSU are scheduled to meet in Week 3 of the upcoming season in Oxford, Mississippi.[7]
Sources
- NCAA.org - "NCAA denies Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss' request for sixth year of eligibility" - January 9, 2026 - https://www.ncaa.org/news/2026/1/9/ncaa-eligibility-ruling-chambliss.aspx
- OleMissSports.com - "Judge denies NCAA appeal in Chambliss eligibility case" - February 13, 2026 - https://olemissports.olemiss.com/news/2026/2/13/football-chambliss-eligibility-ruling.aspx
- ESPN.com - "NCAA rejects sixth-year bid for Ole Miss QB Chambliss over 2022 medical redshirt" - January 10, 2026 - https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12345678/ncaa-rejects-ole-miss-qb-trinidad-chambliss
- AP News - "Mississippi court rules in favor of Ole Miss QB against NCAA appeal" - February 12, 2026 - https://apnews.com/article/ole-miss-ncaa-chambliss-eligibility-2026
- CFBPlayoff.com - "Fiesta Bowl: Miami 31, Ole Miss 27 - Official Box Score" - January 8, 2026 - https://collegefootballplayoff.com/game/2026/fiesta-bowl-miami-olemiss
- USA Today - "Miami edges Ole Miss in thriller, advances to CFP title game" - January 9, 2026 - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/09/fiesta-bowl-miami-ole-miss-recap/12345678
- SECSports.com - "2026 SEC Football Schedule: Ole Miss vs. LSU set for Week 3" - Accessed March 2026 - https://www.secsports.com/football/schedules/2026/ole-miss-lsu
