The NCAA has officially denied Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss's appeal for a sixth year of eligibility, according to a report by Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. This decision leaves Chambliss's lawsuit against the NCAA as his only remaining path to play college football next season. A hearing for a preliminary injunction in that case is scheduled for February 12.
The NCAA initially denied Chambliss's request in January. His case hinges on medical issues during his time at Ferris State, where he redshirted in 2021 and missed the entire 2022 season due to respiratory problems that required tonsil surgery. The NCAA stated that documentation from Ole Miss and Ferris State was insufficient, citing a physician's note from December 2022 that said Chambliss was "doing very well" and the prior school's lack of injury reports for the 2022-23 season.
Ole Miss issued a statement calling the NCAA's decision "indefensible." The NCAA, in response to the lawsuit, argues it should retain authority over eligibility decisions and that Chambliss cannot prove it acted in bad faith. The outcome is crucial for Chambliss, who stands to gain over $5 million from an Ole Miss revenue-sharing contract if he plays next season.