Updated Feb. 4, 2026, 12:22 p.m. CT
- The NCAA responded to a lawsuit from Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss regarding his eligibility.
- Chambliss is seeking a preliminary injunction after the NCAA denied his eligibility waiver for the 2026 season.
- A letter from Chambliss’ doctor states he suffered from recurrent throat infections and other issues during 2022.
The NCAA responded to Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss‘ request for a preliminary injunction in his eligibility lawsuit.
A 27-page document filed Feb. 2 argues that Chambliss does not have the medical documentation to prove he was incapable of playing in 2022 while at Division II Ferris State.
Chambliss sued the NCAA in Lafayette County Chancery Court in Mississippi on Jan. 16 after the NCAA denied his eligibility waiver to return to the Rebels in 2026. He and his legal counsel motioned for a preliminary injunction, which is scheduled to be heard on Feb. 12 in the Calhoun County Courthouse.
Chambliss was at Ferris State from 2021-2024 but did not play in any games his first two seasons.
The NCAA’s recent filing includes four reasons why the preliminary injunction should be denied:
- It’s not the court’s role to “second-guess the NCAA’s decision” and that the “Mississippi Supreme Court has held that courts cannot interfere with the internal decisions of private membership organizations unless those decisions violate a clear contractual provision or legal duty.”
- Chambliss can’t prove the NCAA violated the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
- Chambliss will not suffer irreparable harm without an injunction.
- Public interest favors the NCAA because Chambliss would be taking a roster spot and NIL compensation from others.
The NCAA also said “collegiate sports will become ungovernable if eligibility determinations are instead the result of individual court decisions.”
One day after the NCAA’s response, a letter was filed from Chambliss’ doctor, Michigan-based otolaryngologist Anthony Howard, in support of Chambliss.
The letter states Chambliss began seeing Howard in 2022 due to recurrent throat infections after contracting mononucleosis in 2020. Howard wrote that Chambliss suffered from recurrent throat infections, poor sleep quality, daytime failure and exercise-related airway discomfort throughout the 2022 season and into 2023.
Chambliss had his tonsils removed in 2024.
Why Trinidad Chambliss wants to play at Ole Miss over NFL in 2026
As outlined in his 34-page lawsuit, Chambliss argued he is likely to make much more money in college in 2026 than in the NFL.
“If Trinidad is ineligible and is forced to enter the NFL draft, he will likely sustain monetary losses in the millions of dollars, measured by the difference between the value of his existing Name, Image and Likeness agreement versus the likely amount of his compensation in year one of the NFL,” the lawsuit said.
Recent NFL mock drafts have shown that Chambliss’ stock is rising. The Athletic projected Chambliss to be the No. 34 pick in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough was drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed a four-year contract worth about $2.7 million annually.
Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that Chambliss’ deal to return to Ole Miss is worth in excess of $5 million.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.