The NCAA’s absence spoke almost as loudly as the judge’s ruling.
Trinidad Chambliss won a preliminary injunction Thursday that grants him an extra year of eligibility. The Ole Miss quarterback can now play in 2026.
But Judge Robert Whitwell’s decision came with an unusual twist. The NCAA’s counsel had already left the Mississippi courtroom before the final ruling.
The hearing in Pittsboro marked the end of a fight between Chambliss, Ole Miss officials and the NCAA. At issue: whether a medically sidelined 2022 season at Ferris State should count against his eligibility clock.
In 20+ years of law practice, I’ve never seen opposing counsel leave the court before the decision was rendered. That’s bizarre. https://t.co/Z1Q8LQS0xF
— We Run the Sip (@OMRebelNation) February 12, 2026
Chambliss didn’t dress for a single game that year. He battled respiratory issues before undergoing a tonsillectomy.
The NCAA denied his waiver request three times. That included an initial application, an appeal and a reconsideration request with additional medical documentation.
The association maintained he wasn’t denied the opportunity to compete. Therefore, he didn’t qualify for a medical hardship waiver.
Ole Miss officials disagreed. They argued the documented medical circumstances should have warranted approval at the staff level.
After exhausting internal NCAA channels, Chambliss filed suit in Chancery Court. He’s seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctive relief.
The financial stakes are substantial. Chambliss’ return to Oxford is tied to a compensation package reportedly exceeding $5 million in name, image and likeness earnings.
It’s a figure that shows the shifting economic realities of college football.
The judge’s ruling allows Chambliss to take the field while the broader legal battle continues. The NCAA’s early exit added an unusual twist to a case that could carry implications for future eligibility disputes nationwide.
