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Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss plans to sue the NCAA after his waiver for a sixth-year of eligibility was denied on Friday (January 9), his attorney, Tom Mars, confirmed to ESPN's Pete Thamel on Sunday (January 11).
"NEWS: Lawyers for Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss plan to file suit against the NCAA this week in state court in Mississippi for a preliminary injunction to secure Chambliss’ eligibility for 2026. Lawyer Tom Mars will work with noted Mississippi trial lawyer William Liston," Thamel wrote on his X account.
Mars confirmed to ESPN that he and Liston "have worked most of the weekend preparing a Complaint for a Preliminary and Permanent Injunction on behalf of Trinidad Chambliss."
"We expect the lawsuit to be far more detailed and documented than other eligibility lawsuits that have been filed in the past year," he added. “Therefore, considerable work needs to be done before we’ll be prepared to seek an injunction that would allow Trinidad to play next season. Unless the NCAA appeals committee overturns the denial of the waiver before then, we currently anticipate filing the lawsuit in Mississippi state court toward the end of week. In the meantime, we won’t have any further comment.”
The NCAA's decision to deny Chambliss' hardship waiver followed a previous verbal denial in December, however, Ole Miss can still appeal the decision.
Chambliss, 23, and Ole Miss reportedly reached a new deal that would allow him to return to the program pending the waiver approval earlier this week. The former Division II Ferris State transfer led the Rebels to a 13-2 record (7-1 SEC), the best season in program history and an appearance in the College Football Playoff Semifinal before being eliminated by the Miami Hurricanes in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Thursday (January 8) night.
The redshirt senior took over for injured starter Austin Simmons during Ole Miss' third game of the season and threw for 3,660 yards, 21 touchdowns and three interceptions, while also recording 520 yards and eight touchdowns on 128 rushing attempts, having been named the SEC Newcomer of the Year and placing eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Chambliss' reported decision to stay at Ole Miss if approved by the NCAA came after speculation that he could follow former head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. -- who still coached in Ole Miss' three playoff games despite announcing his decision to join Kiffin's new staff -- to LSU next season.