24-Year-Old Trinidad Chambliss Gains Sixth-Season Of College Eligibility In Court

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss secured a sixth season of college eligibility after several appeals.

In November 2025, Ole Miss filed a waiver request with the NCAA. Ole Miss argued that since he couldn’t play his sophomore season at Ferris State due to respiratory issues, he should be granted extra eligibility. 

The NCAA denied this request on Jan. 9, 2026. Ole Miss filed an appeal, which was also denied. However, Chambliss sued the NCAA in Mississippi state court. 

The judge ruled in favor of Chambliss, ultimately granting him an extra year of eligibility. Judge Robert Whitwell said in his decision that the NCAA ignored the medical records that Chambliss and Ole Miss submitted. 

Chambliss testified in the hearing. He told the judge that his coach at Ferris State told him he could get a medical exemption. 

Former New York Giants head coach and current Ole Miss assistant coach Joe Judge also testified. He told the judge that Chambliss’ draft stock could be hurt if he didn’t play college football in 2026.

Chambliss is coming off a season in which he threw 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He led the conference in passing yards with 3,937. He finished eighth in Heisman voting. 

Chambliss will be 24 during the 2026 season. This will make him one of the oldest players in college football. This also means he’ll be 25 by the 2027 NFL season. Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia saw his draft stock plummet because he was 24. However, Chambliss has the advantage of an NFL-ready physique. 

Ole Miss will start the season on Sept. 6 against Louisville. This will be the first full season for Pete Golding as head coach. Golding coached Ole Miss’s last three games after Lane Kiffin left to become the head coach at LSU.