Trinidad Chambliss set to remain Ole Miss QB after NCAA petition denied

Trinidad Chambliss is set to remain the Ole Miss Rebels’ quarterback after the NCAA lost another court ruling Friday.

A three-justice panel from Mississippi’s supreme court denied the NCAA’s petition to appeal a previous eligibility ruling. The brief order eliminates a final — if not the final — hurdle in Chambliss’ quest to play one more season of college football.

Chambliss has already spent five years in college, first at Ferris State and then with the Rebels. In most cases, his eligibility would be over. But he argued that an illness he had during his time at Ferris State warranted a medical redshirt that would give him an extra season.

The NCAA disagreed, citing a lack of documentation at the time of his illness. Chambliss challenged that ruling in Calhoun County, Miss., in a high-profile case. Chancery Judge Robert Whitwell sided with Chambliss, leading the NCAA to petition the state’s supreme court — the petition that was denied Friday.

That ruling again clears the way for Chambliss to return to college football as one of the sport’s most exciting players. The Michigan native passed for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions last year to help lead the Rebels to the College Football Playoff semifinal.

His legal team previously said in court filings that Chambliss stood to lose millions of dollars if he had to enter the NFL Draft instead of playing another year of college football. He also said the uncertainty surrounding his eligibility cost him a spot on the cover of EA Sports’ college football video game.