Trinidad Chambliss eligibility waiver denied, Ole Miss appeal explained

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Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss‘ eligibility waiver was denied by the NCAA on Jan. 9, meaning he can’t play for the Rebels in 2026.

The Rebels will appeal the decision, according to athletic director Keith Carter, but for now it means Chambliss’ college career is over. He transferred to the Rebels this season from Division II Ferris State, leading them to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Ole Miss lost 31-27 to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8.

Here’s what to know about why Chambliss’ waiver was denied and what could happen next.

Did Trinidad Chambliss get an extra year of eligibility?

No, Chambliss has not gotten an extra year of eligibility. The NCAA denied his waiver on Jan. 9.

Chambliss was at Ferris State for four seasons but did not play in 2021 and 2022. He is attempting to get the 2022 season to not count against his eligibility because of medical issues.

“I had chronic tonsillitis,” Chambliss said Dec. 30. “I also had heart palpitations and trouble breathing. My respiratory system just wasn’t the best at the time.”

MORE: Will Deuce Knight be Ole Miss QB in 2026 after Trinidad Chambliss waiver denied?

NCAA explains why Trinidad Chambliss’ eligibility waiver denied

The NCAA posted a lengthy explanation for why Chambliss was denied the waiver:

“In November, Ole Miss filed a waiver request for football student-athlete Trinidad Chambliss, seeking to extend his five-year Division I eligibility clock, citing an incapacitating illness or injury. Approval requires schools to submit medical documentation provided by a treating physician at the time of a student’s incapacitating injury or illness, which was not provided. The documents provided by Ole Miss and the student’s prior school include a physician’s note from a December 2022 visit, which stated the student-athlete was ‘doing very well’ since he was seen in August 2022. Additionally, the student-athlete’s prior school indicated it had no documentation on medical treatment, injury reports or medical conditions involving the student-athlete during that time frame and cited ‘developmental needs and our team’s competitive circumstances’ as its reason the student-athlete did not play in the 2022-23 season. The waiver request was denied.

“This decision aligns with consistent application of NCAA rules. So far this academic year, the NCAA has received 784 clock extension requests (438 in football). Of those, 25 cases cited an incapacitating injury (nine in football). The NCAA approved 15 of those (six in football), and all 15 provided medical documentation from the time of the injury. Conversely, all 10 that were denied (three in football) did not provide the required medical documentation.

“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, and a ‘redshirt’ year can be used only once. 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 applied for the waiver in November, and the NCAA first provided a verbal denial Dec. 8.”

Will Ole Miss, Trinidad Chambliss appeal NCAA decision?

Carter announced Jan. 9 that Ole Miss will appeal the NCAA’s ruling.

Chambliss’ attorney Tom Mars, before Ole Miss said it will appeal, also said Chambliss could pursue legal action.

“I assume that Ole Miss will file an appeal with the NCAA,” Mars said in a statement to ESPN. “That said, there is 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.”

Time is becoming a factor. The transfer portal closes Jan. 16 for players to enter. Ole Miss’ spring semester also begins Jan. 20.

Who will be Ole Miss’ quarterback in 2026?

Ole Miss’ quarterback future is unclear with Chambliss’ waiver denied. Austin Simmons, the starter for the first two games of the season, has reportedly transferred to Missouri.

AJ Maddox and Maealiuaki Smith are the other quarterbacks at the top of the position room.

The Rebels and coach Pete Golding could also add a quarterback from the transfer portal. Auburn’s Deuce Knight was predicted to transfer to Ole Miss by On3 after Chambliss’ waiver was denied.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Trinidad Chambliss Ole Miss appeal, eligibility denial explained

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