Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is awaiting word as to whether he will be granted a sixth year of eligibility, a decision that has millions of dollars in NIL money on the line.
ESPN reported Thursday that Ole Miss filed a waiver petition on Nov. 16 in hopes the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement would grant the request. Per the ESPN report, however, the NCAA apparently is seeking more information.
Chambliss, 23, is a transfer from Division II Ferris State who led the Rebels to the College Football Playoff. They will meet Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
Chambliss took a redshirt in his freshman season in 2021. The following season, he didn’t play because of a respiratory issue. The waiver request is seeking to get that season back, and the NCAA reportedly wants more medical information from that year.
ESPN reported the quest for eligibility is far from a slam dunk, so much so that Chambliss retained attorney Tom Mars to assist with the case last week. Mars has worked on several eligibility cases.
Chambliss’ waiver application now includes a seven-page letter that, per ESPN, outlines the millions the quarterback stands to gain or lose. Mars’ letter said Chambliss would “suffer irreparable harm” without the waiver.
The quarterback was eighth in Heisman Trophy voting after a season in which he threw for 3,298 yards with19 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran for 506 yards and eight touchdowns.
In the first-round CFP win over Tulane, he was 23-of-29 passing for 282 yards. The Rebels won 41-10.
Although Ole Miss has been assisting with the application, there is no guarantee Chambliss would return to the Rebels if the waiver is granted. A logical landing spot would be deep-pocketed LSU, where ex-Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is now in charge, if he transfers.
The transfer portal opens Jan. 2.
Mars told ESPN this issue should have been settled by now.
“I’m baffled why this waiver wasn’t granted back in November just based on the irrefutable, objective evidence,” he said.
“The NCAA is attempting to impose a higher burden of proof on a young man who is without any fault, has satisfied all the requirements of the NCAA rules, and who’s been an outstanding representative of college football — both on and off the field.”
