BREAKING: Trinidad Chambliss’ waiver denied by NCAA; Attorney Tom Mars says Ole Miss will appeal

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On Tuesday, the NCAA officially denied quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ request for a sixth year of eligibility, putting at least a temporary damper on his hope of returning to Oxford. However, Ole Miss Athletics Director Keith Carter issued a statement that the Rebels will appeal.

“We are disappointed with today’s announcement by the NCAA and plan to appeal the decision to the Committee level. Additionally, we will continue to work in conjunction with Trinidad’s representatives in other avenues of support.” 

Keith Carter, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics

🇹🇹 pic.twitter.com/wTkkCh32L5

— Keith Carter (@KeithCarterOM) January 9, 2026

ESPN’s Pete Thamel also indicates Chambliss’ lawyer says Ole Miss will appeal the decision.

Tom Mars tells ESPN Ole Miss will file an appeal to the NCAA.

Mars: “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… https://t.co/6FaWYyJZX9

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 9, 2026

Thamel quotes Mars:

Tom Mars to Pete Thamel

Chambliss, who transferred to Ole Miss from Division II Ferris State ahead of the 2025 season, had submitted a waiver petition in November seeking an extension of his eligibility clock. After weeks of waiting — and following a 13–2 season that included a College Football Playoff Semifinal appearance — the ruling finally arrived.

It wasn’t the outcome Ole Miss was hoping for.

With the waiver denied, some believe Chambliss could move forward to the NFL Draft, where his meteoric rise has already placed him fourth on Mel Kiper Jr.’s quarterback rankings, trailing only Dante Moore, Fernando Mendoza, and Ty Simpson.

But, again, Ole Miss is appealing the decision. With astute legal eagle Tom Mars handling Trinidad’s case, this denial might just be the beginning of this case heading to court, depending on what Chambliss and his family decide.

The Grand Rapids native began the year as Austin Simmons’ backup, stepping into the spotlight only after Simmons suffered an injury during Ole Miss’ 30–23 win over Kentucky on Sept. 6. From that moment on, Chambliss didn’t just steady the ship — he transformed the Rebels’ offense.

By season’s end, Chambliss had authored one of the most productive quarterback campaigns in the country, throwing for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns against just three interceptions while adding 527 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground. He eclipsed the 300-yard passing mark eight times and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.

His defining performance came on one of college football’s biggest stages. In Ole Miss’ 39–34 Sugar Bowl win over No. 3 Georgia, Chambliss delivered a series of jaw-dropping plays that sealed one of the most significant victories in program history and permanently etched his name into Rebel lore.

But while the on-field résumé was undeniable, the NCAA says it’s decision hinged entirely on documentation — not production.

Here is the NCAA’s full statement regarding the denial of Chambliss’ waiver request:

“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.”

Now, Ole Miss is left facing a complicated situation as the portal window is open for approximately a week.

The waiver denial comes on the heels of Austin Simmons entering the transfer portal and committing to Missouri on Jan. 6, leaving head coach Pete Golding and his staff searching for answers at quarterback as the offseason accelerates.

Regardless of whether the ensuing appeal of the decision is denied or if Chambliss sues the NCAA, there’s no doubt that his journey from Division II player to SEC stardom and College Football Playoff hero is epic — and it’s one that will be remembered in Oxford long after his final snap — whenever that may be.