Sam Hutchens
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
Updated March 5, 2026, 3:54 p.m. CT
This story has been republished with new information
OXFORD — Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' fight to return for the 2026 season is not over.
The NCAA is appealing Chambliss' preliminary injunction, according to documents obtained by the Clarion Ledger on March 5.
The NCAA is asking the Mississippi State Supreme Court for an interlocutory review of the hearing Chambliss got under judge Robert Whitwell in Mississippi Chancery Court on Feb. 12.
NCAA attorneys J Douglas Minor, Taylor Askew and David Zeitlin are named on the appeal. All three lawyers represented the NCAA in Pittsboro on Feb. 12.
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"Respondent (Chambliss) has exhausted his eligibility to compete in NCAA Division I football because his five-year period to complete up to four seasons of competition under the NCAA's 'Five-Year Rule'"' has terminated," the 18-page petition filed March 5 says.
The petition outlines that other NCAA universities will be harmed by having to compete against Chambliss.
"Under the trial court's order, UM will enjoy the benefit of rostering a star quarterback who is no longer eligible to compete. Such an outcome is unfair to D1 schools who follow the rules and must compete against UM in the 2026-2027 DI football season or who may be displaced from postseason competition by UM," the petition says.
Chambliss' injunction still stands while the petition is being decided on. The 2026 Ole Miss season begins on Sept. 6 against Louisville.
Mars referenced the 2021 Alston vs. NCAA case that went up to the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court upheld a ruling going against the NCAA that said limiting education-related compensation violated section 1 of the Sherman Act.
“Everyone remembers when the NCAA famously appealed to the Supreme Court in the Alston case and got their teeth knocked out by Justice Kavanaugh," Mars said. "I expect the NCAA to be spitting chiclets in this appeal as well.”
His case ties back to his 2022 season at Ferris State, when he did not play. According to his testimony Feb. 12, Chambliss experienced "recurrent throat infections, poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue and exercise-related discomfort" that came after a documented episode of infectious mononucleosis in 2020.
Chambliss testified that he only started feeling better after he had his tonsils removed in 2024. He transferred to Ole Miss before the 2025 season.
Chambliss is arguing he should be granted a retroactive medical redshirt waiver because the health problems he experienced kept him from playing and hindered his development.
Chambliss' deal to return to Ole Miss is worth in excess of $5 million, per Yahoo's Ross Dellenger. In mock drafts, Chambliss was projected to be drafted in the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
His salary as a mid-round NFL draft pick pales in comparison to what he can make returning to Oxford.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is an example. He was drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed a four-year contract worth about $2.7 million annually.
The pay discrepancy is one thing Chambliss' lawyers pointed to when arguing for an injunction. They also argued that he would be harmed without an injunction by missing out on a chance to win the Heisman Trophy. Chambliss finished No. 8 in Heisman Trophy voting in 2025.
Chambliss is automatically eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft that begins April 23.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
Updated March 5, 2026, 3:54 p.m. CT
This story has been republished with new information
OXFORD — Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' fight to return for the 2026 season is not over.
The NCAA is appealing Chambliss' preliminary injunction, according to documents obtained by the Clarion Ledger on March 5.
The NCAA is asking the Mississippi State Supreme Court for an interlocutory review of the hearing Chambliss got under judge Robert Whitwell in Mississippi Chancery Court on Feb. 12.
NCAA attorneys J Douglas Minor, Taylor Askew and David Zeitlin are named on the appeal. All three lawyers represented the NCAA in Pittsboro on Feb. 12.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
"Respondent (Chambliss) has exhausted his eligibility to compete in NCAA Division I football because his five-year period to complete up to four seasons of competition under the NCAA's 'Five-Year Rule'"' has terminated," the 18-page petition filed March 5 says.
The petition outlines that other NCAA universities will be harmed by having to compete against Chambliss.
"Under the trial court's order, UM will enjoy the benefit of rostering a star quarterback who is no longer eligible to compete. Such an outcome is unfair to D1 schools who follow the rules and must compete against UM in the 2026-2027 DI football season or who may be displaced from postseason competition by UM," the petition says.
Why NCAA is asking for expedited review in Trinidad Chambliss lawsuit
The NCAA said in its filing that it needs this case to be expedited, saying that if the case proceeded in ordinary course that it is unlikely that it will be resolved before the Rebels' first game of the 2026 season. It said an expedited review is essential to prevent irreparable harm to both the NCAA's side and Ole Miss.Chambliss' injunction still stands while the petition is being decided on. The 2026 Ole Miss season begins on Sept. 6 against Louisville.
What Trinidad Chambliss lawyer Tom Mars said about NCAA's appeal
Tom Mars represented Chambliss in the initial injunction lawsuit. Mars is not confident the NCAA's appeal will result in a win, according to a comment reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel.Mars referenced the 2021 Alston vs. NCAA case that went up to the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court upheld a ruling going against the NCAA that said limiting education-related compensation violated section 1 of the Sherman Act.
“Everyone remembers when the NCAA famously appealed to the Supreme Court in the Alston case and got their teeth knocked out by Justice Kavanaugh," Mars said. "I expect the NCAA to be spitting chiclets in this appeal as well.”
Why Trinidad Chambliss is seeking another year of eligibility
As outlined in his 34-page lawsuit against the NCAA filed Jan. 16, Chambliss is fighting for a medical redshirt.His case ties back to his 2022 season at Ferris State, when he did not play. According to his testimony Feb. 12, Chambliss experienced "recurrent throat infections, poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue and exercise-related discomfort" that came after a documented episode of infectious mononucleosis in 2020.
Chambliss testified that he only started feeling better after he had his tonsils removed in 2024. He transferred to Ole Miss before the 2025 season.
Chambliss is arguing he should be granted a retroactive medical redshirt waiver because the health problems he experienced kept him from playing and hindered his development.
Why Trinidad Chambliss wants to play at Ole Miss over NFL
Money is the biggest reason why Chambliss favors returning to college over the NFL.Chambliss' deal to return to Ole Miss is worth in excess of $5 million, per Yahoo's Ross Dellenger. In mock drafts, Chambliss was projected to be drafted in the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
His salary as a mid-round NFL draft pick pales in comparison to what he can make returning to Oxford.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is an example. He was drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed a four-year contract worth about $2.7 million annually.
The pay discrepancy is one thing Chambliss' lawyers pointed to when arguing for an injunction. They also argued that he would be harmed without an injunction by missing out on a chance to win the Heisman Trophy. Chambliss finished No. 8 in Heisman Trophy voting in 2025.
Why Trinidad Chambliss didn't attend NFL combine ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
Chambliss was not among the Ole Miss players invited to the 2026 NFL scouting combine. His public preference to remain in college was undoubtedly the reason an invite did not come.Chambliss is automatically eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft that begins April 23.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
