Overview
- Mississippi’s high court, which denied the NCAA’s petition on Friday, left in place a preliminary injunction that allows Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to play in 2026.
- Judge Robert Whitwell issued the injunction on Feb. 12 after finding the NCAA acted in bad faith when it refused a medical waiver tied to Chambliss missing the 2022 season with health problems at Ferris State.
- The NCAA had rejected his request on Jan. 9 and its Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee upheld the denial on Feb. 4, citing the rule that gives athletes five years to play four seasons and saying 2022 medical proof fell short.
- In a 658-page filing submitted March 5, the NCAA asked the state Supreme Court to overrule the injunction and argued Ole Miss would gain an unfair edge if a player it deems ineligible remains on the field.
- The underlying lawsuit is still active, but the brief denial signed by Justice Josiah D. Coleman means Ole Miss can plan around Chambliss for 2026, with larger questions about courts reviewing NCAA eligibility decisions unresolved.