NCAA denies Trinidad Chambliss' waiver for 6th year of eligibility
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was denied his waiver request for a sixth year of eligibility, the NCAA announced Friday.
The NCAA had already verbally denied the waiver Dec. 8. Chambliss can still appeal the latest decision. The Rebels passer's college career will be over if the NCAA doesn't allow him to return for another season.
Ole Miss filed the waiver supporting Chambliss' sixth year of eligibility because he didn't play his second season at Ferris State due to persistent respiratory issues, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
However, the NCAA refutes that claim.
"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," the NCAA said in a statement.
"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."
Chambliss' attorney, Tom Mars, suggested he's preparing legal action against the NCAA.
"I assume that Ole Miss will file an appeal with the NCAA," Mars wrote in a statement Friday, according to Thamel. "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."
Chambliss posted an electric 2025 season with Ole Miss to help the Rebels reach the College Football Playoff semifinal. He threw for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns against three interceptions while rushing for 527 yards and eight scores.
Chambliss' campaign ended with Thursday's epic Fiesta Bowl clash with Miami.