College Football World Reacts to Judge’s Decision on Trinidad Chambliss Situation

The long-awaited results of the Trinidad Chambliss situation was revealed on Thursday, as the Ole Miss Rebels quarterback is now eligible to return to college football in 2026.

As confirmed by ESPN's Pete Thamel, Judge Robert Whitwell deemed that the NCAA ignored the necessary evidence presented by Chambliss regarding his qualifying for a medical redshirt.

"Whitwell detailed that the NCAA ignored medical evidence in denying Chambliss' waiver and the quarterback would suffer irreparable harm if denied this year," Thamel wrote. "The judge concluded that Chambliss submitted adequate medical reference and that the NCAA didn't act in good faith in denying the waiver."

Chambliss' stance and the reasons for qualifying for a medical redshirt stemmed from his inability to play his sophomore year at Ferris State due to respiratory issues. The medical issue prevented him from ever taking the field that year, but the NCAA deemed that had he could have had surgery performed that would have allowed him to play.

With Chambliss set to return in 2026, those around college football had plenty to say.

The judge has officially granted Trinidad Chambliss his injunction to play next season.

I'm excited to watch him play.

But local judges acting as de facto appeals committees for every NCAA eligibility decision is not exactly an ideal process.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) February 12, 2026

"Trinidad Chambliss gets another year of eligibility at Ole Miss ... for now. The NCAA will probably appeal. Whatever. I'm tired," wrote College Football News' Pete Fiutak.

"Trinidad Chambliss is really allowed to play another year 😂😂. The NCAA is dead and gone. Zero power at all and a completely useless joke. I can’t wait for the first 38 year old college football player because that’s where this is going," wrote another user.

"I don't understand why at his age and rising draft stock that Trinidad Chambliss is going for a 6th year of eligibility for Ole Miss again than pro," said one fan.

Trinidad Chambliss in the Ole Miss locker room next year: pic.twitter.com/hbHFM7j9eQ
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) February 13, 2026

"Wait… the judge who ruled in favor of Trinidad Chambliss is a Mississippi native and Ole Miss grad??? Surely that’s not illegal," joked another.

"Cheers to freeing our guy Trinidad Chambliss," celebrated one user.

"The people celebrating Trinidad Chambliss are the same ones that screamed “CHEATERS” at Alabama for having a state judge rule against the NCAA. @NCAA @GregSankey You’re pathetic. Guess it’s okay, as long as it’s not Bama," suggested another.

"Hope the NCAA treats Trinidad Chambliss like they treated Charles Bediako," commented another.

Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6). | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In his lone year at Oxford, Chambliss led the Rebels to a program-record 13 wins, including two victories in the College Football Playoff.

Chambliss threw for 3,937 yards with 22 touchdowns to just three interceptions, while also rushing for 527 yards and eight scores. He will headline an Ole Miss roster that will see a surge of talent join the fold, as Pete Golding was able to land the No. 2 transfer portal class.

With Chambliss, at least for now, able to return to college football, the Rebels are easily one of the frontrunners in the SEC and in the sport in general next season.