Judge Robert Whitwell has ruled in favor of Trinidad Chambliss, granting him a preliminary injunction against the NCAA. This injunction makes the Ole Miss quarterback eligible to play in the 2026 season until the lawsuit is resolved. The ruling comes from the Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro, Mississippi, on Thursday.
Chambliss, who finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2025, led the Rebels to the College Football Playoff semifinals and threw for 30 touchdowns. The team had even prepared for the possibility of him not playing in 2026, bringing in Auburn transfer quarterback Deuce Knight.
Judge Whitwell's decision states that the NCAA acted in bad faith by denying Chambliss a medical redshirt season for the 2022 season when he was at Ferris State. With the injunction, the NCAA is barred from preventing Chambliss from participating in 2026 until the case is fully litigated, which could potentially allow him to play this season.
The NCAA can appeal the decision, and they have already expressed their stance in a statement, emphasizing the challenges of differing court decisions that undermine the rules agreed upon by the same members. They argue that these decisions threaten the opportunities for future generations of athletes to compete in college sports.
Chambliss' situation revolves around respiratory issues he faced as a sophomore in 2022 at Ferris State. He used his redshirt season in 2021 and missed the 2022 season due to these issues, which were later resolved through surgery. His coaches and medical team supported his claim for a sixth year of eligibility, but the NCAA denied his waiver, citing insufficient medical evidence.
Chambliss' attorneys defended their case, asserting that it was not manufactured or contrived. They argued that allowing Chambliss a sixth year would not harm the college sports industry. The quarterback has already signed a contract to return to Ole Miss in 2026, valued at over $5 million.
