Ole Miss football was already reeling from a gut-punch loss to 31-27 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, and now the Rebels have been dealt another blow off the field. The NCAA has denied quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ request for a sixth year of eligibility. The decision follows a verbal denial issued back in December, ending weeks of hope around a waiver that could have kept one of the SEC’s most electric quarterbacks in Oxford for 2026.

“The NCAA has denied Trinidad Chambliss a sixth year of eligibility, which would extend his college career. The decision comes after a verbal denial in December. Ole Miss can still appeal the decision,” Pete Thamel reported.

The reason for the denial stems from a lack of documentation. Chambliss’ waiver was based on his Division II Ferris State season in 2022, when he barely played because of health issues, including breathing problems, heart palpitations, and chronic tonsillitis. Ole Miss requested a retroactive medical redshirt, but the NCAA stated that contemporaneous medical records from a treating physician are required for approval.

According to the NCAA, the only note provided from December 2022 stated that Chambliss was “doing very well,” and Ferris State reportedly had no injury reports or treatment records from that period. Without that paper trail, the NCAA maintained it was bound to deny the request.

“This decision aligns with consistent application of NCAA rules,” the NCAA wrote in a statement. “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.”

For Ole Miss, this is an immense blow to the QB room. Chambliss had a stellar season, throwing for more than 3,000 yards, scoring 24 touchdowns, finishing in the top 10 for the Heisman, and leading the Rebels to win against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl before their CFP semifinal defeat to Miami.

Ole Miss was the last SEC team standing in the College Football Playoff, grinding through adversity all season just to reach that stage, and Trinidad Chambliss was at the center of every ounce of it. Even after the defeat, ESPN called his performance “superhuman,” a nod to how much he willed the Rebels forward when everything tightened.

“This season has meant so much to me, especially because of the brothers I get to line up with every day and the unwavering support of the Oxford community,” Trinidad Chambliss said. “My teammates are family, and together we share a common goal, to bring a championship home to Ole Miss. While the process is still ongoing, there is no place I’d rather be than finishing my college football career in Oxford.”

That loyalty and belief made what came next feel even heavier.

Ole Miss Football’s Next Move

The denial cracked open a much bigger fight. Chambliss’s attorney, Tom Mars, didn’t hide his frustration after the NCAA ruling went public. While Ole Miss is expected to file a formal appeal with the NCAA, Mars hinted the real battle could shift to the courtroom.

“I’m disappointed, but not surprised, ” Mars said. “The last time I checked, however, the only score that matters is the one at the end of the fourth quarter. I understand that Ole Miss will file an appeal with the NCAA.

“However, 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 of action is a decision only Trinidad and his parents can make.”

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The timing couldn’t be worse. Trinidad Chambliss had just signed a new NIL contract that was directly tied to his eligibility to return in 2026, assuming the waiver was approved. That deal is now void, and Ole Miss finds itself without a defined quarterback strategy. Pete Golding is in a difficult situation because Austin Simmons, who began the season ahead of Chambliss, has already transferred to Missouri.

Ole Miss and Chambliss may be seriously considering filing a lawsuit against the NCAA, according to reports from On3’s Pete Nakos.

“I deserve (another year),” Chambliss said Dec. 30. “I’ve only played three seasons of college football. I feel like I deserve to play four. I redshirted in 2021. That was my freshman redshirt. Then I medically redshirted in 2022. Played in 2023, 2024 and this is 2025.”

But even if that path is taken, the Rebels cannot afford to remain idle at the most crucial position on the field.

That’s where Deuce Knight enters the picture. The former five-star Auburn QB, who is back on the market after one season on the Plains, is strongly predicted to be recruited by Ole Miss shortly after the NCAA’s ruling. In just two games, Knight rushed for 178 yards and four touchdowns.

“To see Deuce get out there and get his first snaps and play like that was pretty amazing,” interim coach DJ Durkin said at the time. “It was awesome to see his teammates rally around him, and really respond.”

As of right now, Chambliss looks to be on his way to the NFL, where Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the fourth-best QB prospect in the 2026 draft. Ole Miss will now need to find its replacement center while hoping that the legal issues have not yet been resolved.