University of Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted a temporary injunction that ensures his eligibility for the 2026 season. The ruling, delivered Thursday by Judge Robert Whitwell in Lafayette County Chancery Court, comes after a legal battle between the standout signal-caller and the NCAA.

The dispute centered on a medical waiver request for a sixth year of eligibility, stemming from a severe respiratory condition Chambliss battled in 2022.  The NCAA denied his petition multiple times, most recently an appeal on Feb. 5. But the court intervened, with Whitwell stating that the NCAA ignored medical evidence and failed to act in good faith. The judge noted that the quarterback would suffer "irreparable harm" if he were barred from the field this year.

During the hearing, Chambliss and his mother, Cheryl, detailed the physical toll of his 2022 season at Division II Ferris State, noting he suffered from chronic tonsillitis. While the NCAA argued that he chose to manage his condition with medication rather than surgery to stay active, the court found he met the criteria for a medical redshirt.

The impact of this decision on the Rebels' 2026 campaign cannot be overstated. Under first-year head coach Pete Golding, Ole Miss enters the season as a legitimate national title contender with arguably the best returning quarterback in the country.

Besides Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, Chambliss was college football’s other breakout star of the 2025 season. Originally a backup to Austin Simmons, he took over the starting role following an injury to Simmons and never looked back. He finished the year with 3,937 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and only three interceptions, leading the Rebels to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance and a historic win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. His performance earned him an eighth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting.

While the injunction allows him to play, the legal merits of the case will likely be argued in full after the season concludes. This mirrors the 2025 case of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who also used a court injunction to take the field while challenging eligibility rules.

In a statement, the NCAA expressed disappointment, claiming such "patchwork" state court decisions undermine the stability of collegiate sports. Conversely, Ole Miss officials stood by their quarterback, stating the outcome affirms that he deserves the opportunity to finish his college football career.