Key Highlights
- Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will not be eligible for the 2026 season after the NCAA denied his waiver request.
- The denial means that Chambliss’s contract with Ole Miss is void, ending his college career.
- Clemson University head coach Pete Golding had hoped to retain Chambliss under a deal contingent on the waiver approval.
- Chambliss argued for a retroactive redshirt for his Division II season in 2022.
- Tom Mars, Chambliss’s attorney, expressed disappointment and plans to appeal the decision.
NCAA Denies Waiver for Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ending His College Career
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will not be eligible for the 2026 season after the NCAA formally denied his waiver request this week. This decision has significant implications for the Rebels’ plans and for Chambliss’s future in college football.
Background on Chambliss’s Situation
Chambliss, a rising star who transferred to Ole Miss from Division II Ferris State, had been a key player for the Rebels. He threw for 3,937 yards and scored 22 touchdowns this season, making him one of the SEC’s most electrifying quarterbacks. His performance was crucial in three College Football Playoff games against Tulane, Georgia, and Miami.
NCAA Decision and Its Impact
The NCAA denied Chambliss’s waiver request, which aimed to grant him a sixth year of eligibility based on a retroactive redshirt for his 2022 Division II season. According to the NCAA statement, “This decision aligns with consistent application of NCAA rules.” The denial means that Chambliss will not be able to return for the 2026 season under first-year coach Pete Golding.
“To receive a clock extension, a student-athlete must have been denied two seasons of competition for reasons beyond the student’s or school’s control,” the NCAA explained. “One of the rules being cited publicly (Bylaw 12.6.4.2.2) is not the correct rule for the type of waiver requested by the school.” Ole Miss had applied for the waiver in November, and the NCAA first provided a verbal denial on December 8.
Legal Battles and Future Prospects
Chambliss’s attorney, Tom Mars, expressed disappointment but not surprise at the decision. “I’m disappointed, but not surprised,” he said in a statement. “The last time I checked, however, the only score that matters is the one at the end of the fourth quarter.” Mars also mentioned that Ole Miss plans to file an appeal with the NCAA.
Tom Mars further stated, “There’s now an opportunity to move this case to a level playing field where Trinidad’s rights will be determined by the Mississippi judiciary instead of some bureaucrats in Indianapolis who couldn’t care less about the law or doing the right thing.” Whether to pursue that course is a decision only Chambliss and his parents can make.
Chambliss’s absence from Ole Miss will have significant implications. The Rebels recently lost backup quarterback Austin Simmons, who won the starting job over Chambliss coming out of fall camp, to the transfer portal. This leaves Ole Miss looking for other options at the position as they look ahead to next season under Golding.
Chambliss’s future remains uncertain.
While he likely turns his sights toward the NFL, the denial of the waiver may have limited his opportunities in college football. The decision has sparked discussions about the fairness and consistency of NCAA rules regarding student-athletes’ eligibility.
