Chambliss' Ole Miss hopes remain after NCAA's appeal is rejected

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A three-judge panel of the Mississippi Supreme Court denied the NCAA's appeal on Friday, increasing the chances Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will play next season.

It's not the final decision of the state's Supreme Court, and the NCAA could file a motion for another hearing.

The NCAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This was the latest court victory for Chambliss. A Mississippi judge granted a preliminary injunction Feb. 12 against the NCAA to pave the way for Chambliss to play.

The NCAA denied Chambliss’ waiver request Jan. 9, and after Chambliss appealed, the organization’s Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee upheld the denial on Feb. 4.

Chambliss has been in college for five years, but was healthy enough to play just three years.

He began his college career at Ferris State in 2021, redshirted his first season and did not play in 2022 because of medical reasons.

Chambliss played two more seasons at the Division II school in Michigan, leading the Bulldogs to a national championship before transferring to Ole Miss before the start of this past season.

Chambliss completed 294 of 445 passes (66.1%) for 3,937 yards with 22 touchdowns and three interceptions for Ole Miss (13-2), which set a school record for wins, including two after making the College Football Playoff for the first time. He ran for 527 yards and eight more TDs.

The Rebels lost 31-27 to Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Jan. 8.

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