The Ole Miss Rebels will likely need a new quarterback for next season pending an appeal.
The Ole Miss Rebels were dealt a subsequent blow following their CFP Playoff exit in the semifinals with a loss to the Miami Hurricanes. The NCAA announced on Friday that it has denied Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' waiver request for a sixth year of eligibility. Barring a successful appeal, which Ole Miss plans to do per Chambliss’ attorney, Chambliss’ college career is over. Not only that, but because of his commitment to return pending his waiver request, the Rebels now have to scramble for a starting quarterback next year. It’s likely that they have been scouting in anticipation of this potential outcome, but it’s disappointing nonetheless.
Ole Miss filed the request on Nov. 16, but the NCAA sent feedback via a case manager back on Dec. 18 that indicated they weren’t inclined to grant the request; they welcomed more information. Specifically, they were looking for any contemporaneous medical information from Chambliss’ situation that occurred in 2022. He didn’t play any games for Div. II Ferris State that season due to “persistent respiratory issues,” and Chambliss had surgery to remove his tonsils.
As Chambliss used his traditional redshirt his freshman year in 2021, he was seeking a medical redshirt. His attorney, Tom Mars, argued at the time that the bylaw in question that they were seeking, 12.6.1.7.1, doesn’t require that specific information. That bylaw only requires "objective evidence,” versus a medical hardship waiver – not what Chambliss was seeking – which would require that.
Now, instead of being a marquee player in college football for the 2026 season, Chambliss will likely head to the NFL draft. Chambliss has a 6-foot stature and was projected as a Day 3 pick. However, that was all before the Rebels’ CFP run in which Chambliss raised his profile, often looking like the best player on the field.
In Ole Miss’ 39-34 win over SEC rival Georgia Bulldogs in the quarterfinals, Chambliss was 30-of-46 for 362 yards and two touchdowns. Against the Hurricanes, he was 23-of-27 for 277 yards and one touchdown. Importantly, in their three CFP appearances, including against the Tulane Green Wave, Chambliss protected the football and didn’t turn it over once.
Chambliss only played D1 football for one season and didn’t start until Week 4 against the Green Wave. At the SEC level, Chambliss completed 66.1 of his passes for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns to three interceptions. In the regular season, his 3,016 yards were good for No. 23 in college football.
Should the Rebels be unsuccessful in their appeal efforts, it would end what has been an incredible story in college sports, with Chambliss transferring from the Div. II level, to stepping in as the backup for an eventual playoff-bound SEC team due to an injury to starter Austin Simmons, to taking the starting job, running with it, and winning two CFP games.