Ole Miss QB Sues NCAA Over Denied Eligibility Waiver

Court hearing on Trinidad Chambliss' future with the team is underway

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Trinidad Chambliss, a quarterback at the University of Mississippi, has sued the NCAA after being denied a sixth year of eligibility. Chambliss' legal team argues the NCAA's decision was "bad-faith, unreasonable, and arbitrary" and that he would suffer financial harm without an additional year to play. The court hearing on Chambliss' future with the Ole Miss football team is currently taking place in Pittsboro, Mississippi.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between student-athletes, universities, and the NCAA over eligibility rules and the financial implications for players who are denied extra years to compete due to medical issues or other extenuating circumstances.

The details

Chambliss has faced a series of medical challenges dating back to 2017, when he was exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus and contracted mononucleosis. His legal team claims these documented medical complications kept him off the field and argues the NCAA's denial of his waiver request was unreasonable and arbitrary.

  • The court hearing is taking place on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • Chambliss sued the NCAA in January 2026 after being denied a sixth year of eligibility.

The players

Trinidad Chambliss

A quarterback at the University of Mississippi who is suing the NCAA after being denied a sixth year of eligibility.

NCAA

The national governing body for college sports that denied Chambliss' request for an additional year of eligibility.

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What they’re saying

“The NCAA's denial of his waiver request was a 'bad-faith, unreasonable, and arbitrary decision', and claims he would suffer irreparable financial harm without an additional year of eligibility.”

— Chambliss' legal team (WLBT)

What’s next

The judge presiding over the case will decide whether to allow Chambliss an additional year of eligibility to play for Ole Miss.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges student-athletes face in navigating the NCAA's eligibility rules, particularly when dealing with medical issues that impact their ability to compete. The outcome could set a precedent for how the NCAA handles similar waiver requests in the future.