OXFORD, Miss. — There are moments in a program’s history that feel different. This week was one of them.
When a Mississippi judge granted Trinidad Chambliss a preliminary injunction, clearing the way for him to play in 2026 while his lawsuit against the NCAA moves forward, the reaction around Oxford was immediate. Relief. Gratitude. A sense that something important had been preserved.
Trinidad Chambliss, the undisputed leader of the Ole Miss football team, now gets another chance to finish what he started. He didn’t simply have a strong 2025 season — he reshaped the trajectory of the program as the Rebels made it one game away from the national championship game.
Consider his stats along the way:
- 3,937 passing yards
- 22 touchdowns
- Three interceptions
- 527 rushing yards
- Eight rushing scores
- A College Football Playoff semifinal appearance
- Eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting
- Newcomer of the Year in the SEC
But it is not just the stat sheet that defines Chambliss’ season — it is more. It was his command in the huddle, his poise late in games, and the way his teammates gravitated toward him. The Rebel QB brought steadiness that carried Ole Miss through three playoff contests and into national conversation.
Trinidad gave the Rebels belief. And belief changes everything.
The court case
Chambliss’ case centered on the 2022 season at Ferris State, when documented respiratory complications and severe tonsillitis prevented him from competing. His request to the NCAA for a waiver that would allow him to play in the 2026 season was denied. Ole Miss filed an appeal over that decision, and it, too, was denied. The Rebels even filed what is called ‘reconsideration’ following the denial of the appeal — and that was turned down, ironically on the same day Chambliss and his legal team were in Calhoun County, Mississippi for their preliminary hearing.
It turned out Ole Miss didn’t need the NCAA appeals process; they just needed a common-sense judge in Chancery Court, and they found that in Judge Robert Whitwell.
Chambliss’ lawyers argued that the NCAA misapplied its waiver standards when denying his request for a medical hardship year. And at the preliminary hearing, the NCAA’s attorneys defended their process — and they lost.
And now, while the broader lawsuit could possibly continue if the NCAA files an appeal, the preliminary injunction allows Chambliss to participate in 2026. That detail matters.
Without it, extended litigation could have effectively ended his college career. Instead, he will be allowed to practice, prepare, and play while the courts sort through the larger legal questions.
For a quarterback who endured physical setbacks and administrative roadblocks, the opportunity to compete again carries weight far beyond the field.
What It Means for 2026
From a football standpoint, Chambliss’ return completely changes the outlook for 2026. It’s not that the Rebels are without quality options at quarterback. They probably have the best QB room in the country with Chambliss in it and Deuce Knight and Walker Howard transferring in this January. But retaining an experienced quarterback who already understands the system and the expectations is huge for head coach Pete Golding.
Returning players don’t have to recalibrate around a new voice. Offensive momentum doesn’t reset. The foundation stays intact. Chambliss now enters 2026 not as a surprise story, but as an established force — one of the nation’s top returning quarterbacks who will no doubt be ranked high on the initial Heisman boards for the upcoming season.
And it is absolutely also true: stability and continuity matter in the SEC.
The story continues….
Chambliss’ path has included injuries, surgery, transfer adjustments, and now a courtroom battle. Through all of it, he remained composed, focused and steady. He helped Ole Miss with transfer portal recruiting, encouraging transfer players to come to Oxford for the 2026 season. His return represents more than just another season of football. It represents a young man refusing to let circumstances dictate the ending of his story — and a university standing behind him.
Here’s the statement from Ole Miss Athletics following the rendered verdict:
There will be debates about precedent and policy as the legal process continues. That part isn’t over.
But for now, Ole Miss gets its quarterback back. And in a place that values grit as much as talent, that means something deeper than numbers ever could.
(Feature image credit: Karis Chambliss, The Rebel Walk)
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Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
