Chalk up another win for new Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding.
In Lafayette County Chancery Court before Judge Robert Whitwell in Mississippi on Thursday, Ole Miss star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted a temporary injunction that paves the way for him to be eligible in 2026.
Chambliss had already been denied another year of eligibility by the NCAA multiple times. Per Chambliss’ team, he couldn’t play at Division II Ferris St. in 2022 due to chronic fatigue caused by complications from tonsillitis. He had used his typical redshirt as a true freshman in 2021.
“This decision in a state court illustrates the impossible situation created by differing court decisions that serve to undermine rules agreed to by the same NCAA members who later challenge them in court,” the NCAA said in a statement. “We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against repeated attempts to rob future generations of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create.
“The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for current and future college athletes.”
After playing at Ferris St. in 2023 and 2024, Chambliss transferred to Ole Miss for the 2025 campaign. When Ole Miss starting QB Austin Simmons suffered an ankle injury in a Week 2 win at Kentucky, Chambliss became the temporary starter.
But that temporary label wouldn’t last long, as Chambliss led the Rebels to four straight home wins over Arkansas, Tulane, LSU and Washington St. By the time Simmons was healthy again, Chambliss was a Heisman Trophy contender.
Simmons transferred to Missouri, where he’s set to be its starter in 2026. The Tigers play at Ole Miss on Oct. 17.
Like Diego Pavia’s case to play for Vanderbilt in 2025, the injunction from the court grants Chambliss eligibility to play in the NCAA until his case his heard, but that likely won’t happen until after the 2026 season. Pavia’s lawyers just had a hearing about his case earlier this week, but he’s off to the NFL Draft already.
“We believe this outcome affirms what we have maintained throughout this process that Trinidad deserves the opportunity to compete and complete his collegiate career on the field,” Ole Miss said in a statement.
This is obviously a monster win for Chambliss, Golding and the 2026 Rebels. Truth be told, Chambliss was going to be fine regardless. He might’ve been selected on the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft, but first-year contracts for third-round picks are usually around $1.3 million.
Instead, he’ll reportedly make at least $5 million playing for Ole Miss and possibly as much as $6 million with other endorsements.
Chambliss led Ole Miss to a pair of wins in the College Football Playoff, including a thrilling 39-34 victory over Georgia in the quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl. The Rebels dropped a 31-27 heartbreaker to Miami in the semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl.
In the win over UGA, Chambliss completed 30-of-46 passes for 362 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He connected on 23-of-37 throws for 277 yards and one TD without a pick in the loss to the Hurricanes.
In 15 games for Ole Miss in 2025, Chambliss completed 294-of-445 passes (66.1%) for 3,937 yards with a 22/3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He added 527 rushing yards and eight TDs while averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
The 23-year-0ld Chambliss was named the SEC Newcomer of the Year and garnered second-team All-SEC honors. He finished eighth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
FanDuel has Ole Miss listed with 30/1 odds to win the 2026-27 national title. Those are the 12th-shortest odds on the board.
FanDuel and DraftKings still aren’t listing Chambliss in their odds to win the Heisman, but that should change soon.
If you didn’t notice yet, I wrote about FanDuel’s early lines for nine different college football games earlier this week. The betting shop had Ole Miss as a 5.5-point favorite for its Week 1 opener vs. Louisville in Nashville.
However, FanDuel has now taken that game off the board.