- Parents Trent and Cheryl Chambliss are publicly urging clarity as the NCAA reviews Trinidad Chambliss’ request for a sixth year of eligibility.
- Ole Miss has a contingent contract ready; a denied waiver could lead to legal action and major NIL financial losses.
- Chambliss played a starring role in Ole Miss’ Sugar Bowl upset and now prepares for the Fiesta Bowl amid uncertainty.
H2: Why the Chambliss family is watching the NCAA
Trent and Cheryl Chambliss — Trinidad’s parents — are at the center of a high-stakes eligibility fight that could determine whether their son plays college football next season. The NCAA has not yet decided whether to grant the Ole Miss quarterback a sixth year of eligibility after he missed the 2022 season at Ferris State due to documented respiratory issues.
Trent told reporters the “unknown is uncomfortable,” and both parents have worked closely with the team and legal representatives as the process continues. Ole Miss has tentatively agreed to a contract with Trinidad that depends on the waiver, leaving the family, school and player in limbo.
H3: Medical records, academic hurdles and NCAA rules
Chambliss’ waiver request points to a 2022 health issue — ultimately treated with surgery — that limited his ability to play. Attorneys filed a 91-page packet for the NCAA that includes medical evidence from an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Those filings also had to address academic eligibility. Chambliss wasn’t cleared to enroll at Ole Miss until late summer because some credits from Ferris State didn’t transfer to the business school. He switched majors and completed a heavy summer course load to be eligible to play.
H4: Money, market and the threat of legal action
The timing matters not just for football but for finance. In the new era of direct school pay and NIL deals, a top-tier transfer quarterback can command multi-million-dollar compensation. Chambliss’ representative says elite QB compensation can reach up to $7 million with incentives; decisions delayed by the NCAA have demonstrable financial impact.
Ole Miss and Chambliss have a contingent agreement; if the NCAA denies the waiver, the family and their attorneys have signaled they may pursue legal remedies. Attorneys have pursued similar cases against the NCAA in the past year, and courts have occasionally granted injunctions.
H4: On-field story — from Division II to the Sugar Bowl
Trinidad’s rise is dramatic: a Division II starter at Ferris State who entered the spring transfer portal, was discovered on social video, and earned a starting job at Ole Miss after Austin Simmons’ injury. He led a stunning Sugar Bowl comeback over Georgia, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns.
His parents were in the stands as he delivered the performance that heightened his profile and the urgency of the NCAA decision.
Embedded post:
- Video and coverage of Chambliss’ highlights were circulated on X by Yahoo Sports College: https://twitter.com/YahooSportsCollege
H3: What’s next
The immediate focus for the Chambliss family and Ole Miss is the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Fiesta Bowl against Miami. Beyond that, the NCAA’s decision on the waiver will determine Trinidad’s immediate future — whether he returns for another college season, pursues professional options, or if litigation becomes necessary.
For now, Trent and Cheryl Chambliss continue to emphasize education and stability; Trinidad is set to graduate in May, even as his athletic future hangs in the balance.
Image Referance: https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/will-the-legendary-story-of-trinidad-chambliss-continue-for-another-season-at-ole-miss-150317043.html
