PITTSBORO — A day that could shape the future of Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss football has arrived.
Chambliss sued the NCAA in an attempt to return to college football in 2026. He is seeking both a temporary injunction and a permanent injunction against the NCAA, which would effectively stop the NCAA from barring him from returning.
His hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 12 at the Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro.
Chambliss testifies that he believed he had two years of eligibility remaining when he transferred to Ole Miss.
Chambliss described his extended sickness as “Having a roller coaster of being sick and then being better. Constantly having fatigue and being tired throughout the day.”
Chambliss testifies he was “not in very good shape” at Ferris State in the 2022 season. He says he experienced shortness of breath and was unable to push through workouts at times. He said he looked “tiny” when shown his roster picture at Ferris State.
Chambliss said it took three to four days to recover from a cold before he had his tonsils removed. After he got his tonsils removed, he said he gets better in one day.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will take the witness stand after the court rejoins.
The court will rejoin at 1:15 p.m. Liston said he hopes to have a decision made by some point today.
NCAA attorney Taylor Askew congratulated Cheryl on raising a great son.
Cheryl Chambliss is wearing a No. 6 pin on the witness stand. She came in from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
She says she was Trinidad’s “walking pharmacy” when Chambliss was taking medicine to deal with respiratory issues.
Cheryl said she observed her son’s symptoms, including his “extremely loud” snoring. She was concerned that her son was not breathing at times when he slept. It’s how they found out Trinidad had sleep apnea.
Cheryl said Trinidad’s recovery from getting his tonsils removed was “the most pain I’ve ever seen him in.”
Court will take a 10 minute break.
Askew asked Judge if Chambliss will be drafted in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft if he enters. Judge said there is not a guarantee.
Askew asked if players who finish high in the Heisman Trophy race are usually drafted. Judge cited Jason White, who won the 2003 Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma but was undrafted.
Trinidad Chambliss’ side called Joe Judge to the stand. He established right away that he holds Chambliss “in the highest regard.”
Judge is offered to the court as an expert in football and coaching. The defense objects that it is not a defined role of expertise. Objection sustained, so Judge will be asked for layman opinions.
When asked, Judge explains how a draft board comes together for an NFL team. He says the first thing you do is eliminate players, because there’s too many on the board.
Judge says it would “absolutely” be in Chambliss’ best interest as a quarterback to get time to develop as a football player. Judge says NFL teams prefer to draft players who have had success over multiple seasons in college, not just one.
Judge says the only quarterback to start a Super Bowl who was a one-year starter in Division I college was former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, who played for the Carolina Panthers.
Bradford Dye has been testifying for approximately one hour.
He starts by clarifying what Dye means by the description of “incapacitated.”
Askew reminds Dye that Chambliss participated in practice for the Ferris State football team in 2022.
Askew establishes that there no records established in court that Chambliss missed football-related activities because of his tonsils.
Oxford ear, nose and throat doctor Bradford Dye begins testimony.
Lawyer William Liston is questioning the witness.
Dye says Chambliss’ tonsils were graded as a “+3” at their worst, which can restrict between 60% and 70% of airflow in breathing.
Dye said Chambliss only got to 100% health in January of 2024.
Trinidad Chambliss has joined his representation at his desk
Council has arrived for both sides in Chambliss’ hearing. Tom Mars is representing Chambliss.
Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro, Mississippi. It is about 45 minutes away from Oxford.
Chambliss’ legal team chose the location strategically. Because the NCAA operated in all 50 states, it can be taken to court in any location. Chambliss’ lawyer Tom Mars explained why.
“There is 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 on social media.
Spectators have started to file in the Calhoun County Courthouse. About 20 people for now. The hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
Why Trinidad Chambliss’ lawsuit vs. NCAA is in Pittsboro
Chambliss’ legal team filed the lawsuit in Lafayette County Chancery Court. Arkansas-based attorney Tom Mars and Mississippi-based attorney William Liston are representing Chambliss.
Filing in Mississippi was a strategic move. It is possible because the NCAA operates in all 50 states and can be taken to court wherever.
“There is 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 on social media.
Who is the judge overseeing Trinidad Chambliss’ case?
Robert Whitwell is the judge in Lafayette County Chancery Court who is overseeing the case.
Whitwell earned a bachelor’s degree from Delta State University and got his law degree from Ole Miss in 1972. He was a quarterback at Northwest Mississippi Community College and was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 1996.
Former Gov. Phil Bryant appointed Whitwell as the 18th District Chancery Court Judge in August 2013.
What is Trinidad Chambliss’ case for a medical redshirt waiver?
In court filings, Chambliss is arguing that he should be given a medical hardship waiver for the 2022 season. His side has filed letters saying that his 2022 season at Ferris State was impacted by respiratory issues.
Chambliss had his tonsils removed in 2024, after experiencing what court documents described as “recurrent throat infections, poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue and exercise-related discomfort” that came after a documented episode of infectious mononucleosis in 2020.
When is a ruling in Trinidad Chambliss case expected?
There’s a possibility that the judge issues his decision at the hearing and it’s a short process. There’s also a possibility that it takes a matter of hours.
A ruling not coming immediately would follow the pattern of Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako.
The court did not decide on Bediako’s preliminary injunction hearing on Feb. 6 at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. The ruling, which was a denial of Bediako’s injunction request, came out on Feb. 9.
Will Trinidad Chambliss win his case, return to Ole Miss?
To get a temporary injunction, Chambliss’ legal team needs to show two things: That Chambliss would suffer irreparable damage without it, and that he has a chance to win the case.
The NCAA has argued in filings that Chambliss can’t prove he will suffer irreparable harm absent an injunction.
It says that Chambliss is eligible to play in the NFL so he will not miss out on the opportunity to play football, and that an opportunity for college-specific opportunities like a chance to win the Heisman Trophy is too speculative.
Chambliss’ side has said he will suffer financial harm, as outlined in his 34-page lawsuit. Chambliss is likely to make much more money in college in 2026 than in the NFL.
Can Trinidad Chambliss appeal if denied an injunction?
Chambliss could appeal up to the Mississippi Supreme Court if his injunction is denied. It works the other way too. The NCAA could appeal up to the state’s supreme court.
Can Trinidad Chambliss enter the 2026 NFL Draft?
Chambliss does not need to declare for the NFL Draft because he is draft eligible. The 2026 NFL Draft is April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Who is Ole Miss QB in 2026 if Trinidad Chambliss is not?
Ole Miss added former Auburn quarterback Deuce Knight in the transfer portal. He will be entering his redshirt freshman season and figures to be the leader to earn the No. 2 job behind Chambliss.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
