The NCAA has denied Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss a waiver for a sixth year of eligibility, according to an announcement Friday. The ruling could bring an abrupt end to one of college football’s most compelling recent storylines.
The decision was not unexpected. Ole Miss filed the waiver request Nov. 16, and the NCAA verbally notified the school of its denial in December. However, the official ruling arrives less than 24 hours after the Rebels’ 31-27 loss to the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Ole Miss plans to appeal, according to Chambliss’ attorney, Tom Mars, who expressed frustration with the process while signaling the possibility of legal action.
“I’m disappointed, but not surprised,” Mars told AllSportsPeople via text. “The last time I checked, however, the only score that matters is the one at the end of the fourth quarter.”
Mars went further, suggesting the case could move beyond the NCAA. “There’s now an opportunity to move this case to a level playing field where Trinidad’s rights will be determined by the Mississippi judiciary instead of some bureaucrats in Indianapolis who couldn’t care less about the law or doing the right thing,” Mars said, adding that any such decision rests with Chambliss and his parents.
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The waiver centered on Chambliss’ sophomore season at Division II Ferris State, during which he did not play while dealing with persistent respiratory issues. The NCAA said the waiver failed because Ole Miss could not provide extensive medical documentation from the time of the alleged illness.
“Approval requires schools to submit medical documentation provided by a treating physician at the time of a student’s incapacitating injury or illness, which was not provided,” the NCAA said in its statement.
The organization added that a December 2022 physician’s note indicated Chambliss was “doing very well,” and that Ferris State reported having no medical records from that period, citing “developmental needs and our team’s competitive circumstances” for his absence.
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