Trinidad Chambliss’ NCAA Lawsuit Could Cost Millions in NFL Draft

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has filed a lawsuit that could shake up NCAA eligibility rules. The NCAA denied him a sixth year of college eligibility, and now Chambliss is asking a Mississippi court to let him play for the Rebels in the 2026-27 season.

Chambliss has become a big name in college football. This case shows just how tangled NCAA regulations can get, especially with so much money on the line for student-athletes.

The Lawsuit: A Fight for Eligibility

Chambliss spent four seasons at Division II Ferris State and one at Ole Miss. He filed his lawsuit in the Chancery Court of Lafayette County, Mississippi.

He wants a court order to stop the NCAA from ruling him ineligible for the upcoming season. The NCAA turned down his request for more eligibility, saying he didn’t provide enough proof that an injury or illness kept him from playing during the 2022-23 season at Ferris State.

The NCAA’s Stance

The NCAA’s decision didn’t sit well with Chambliss or Ole Miss. The university is appealing to the academics and eligibility committee, hoping for a decision as early as next week.

The NCAA says Ole Miss didn’t give the right documentation to back up Chambliss’s claim of medical hardship. That paperwork is required for an extra year of eligibility.

Chambliss’s Medical History

Chambliss’s lawyer, Tom Mars, argues the NCAA acted in bad faith and calls the decision unreasonable. The complaint points to a long string of medical issues that Chambliss faced for about seven years.

These problems led to a tonsillectomy in 2024. His legal team believes this surgery should count when reviewing his eligibility.

Legal Precedents and Implications

This isn’t the first time someone has challenged NCAA eligibility rules. Last year, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia filed a lawsuit in November 2024, kicking off a wave of similar cases.

Since then, about 40 lawsuits have popped up, with mixed results. Courts denied 26 preliminary injunctions and granted 10, mostly in state courts. Five lawsuits are still moving through lower courts.

Financial Stakes

There’s a lot of money at stake for Chambliss. Right before the NCAA denied his waiver, Chambliss agreed to a revenue-sharing deal to return to Ole Miss if he got another year.

We don’t know the exact numbers, but top quarterbacks in the transfer portal have been landing deals between $4 million and $5 million. Someone close to the situation said Chambliss would be among the highest-paid college players next year.

Potential NFL Prospects

Chambliss’s agent, Fletcher Smith III, says his client is also getting ready for the NFL Draft. Still, Chambliss isn’t expected to go in the first round after just one season starting in Division I.

First-round NFL rookies usually get four-year contracts with over $16 million guaranteed. Players picked later get smaller deals. High second-rounders might see contracts up to $13 million, but with less guaranteed money. Later-round rookie salaries start at around $2.3 million.

Chambliss’s Journey

Chambliss’s road to SEC stardom is pretty wild. He transferred from Ferris State, where he led the team to a Division II national title in 2024.

He became Ole Miss’s starting quarterback three games into last season after Austin Simmons got hurt. Chambliss then led the Rebels to their first College Football Playoff appearance.

He threw for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. Not bad, right?

Future Implications for NCAA Rules

The result of Chambliss’s lawsuit could change how the NCAA handles eligibility. If the court sides with him, it might pave the way for more athletes to get extra eligibility for medical reasons.

But if the NCAA wins, their strict documentation rules could get even tougher, making it harder for athletes to extend their college careers.