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The NCAA has denied Ole Miss' appeal for quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' sixth-year waiver, the program confirmed in a statement to ESPN's Pete Thamel Wednesday (February 4) night.
The appeal decision doesn't mean Chambliss' fight is over as his attorneys have filed for an injunction in state court Mississippi. Chambliss' representatives said they "will continue to pursue all available legal remedies, and we will publicly stand behind Trinidad while holding the NCAA accountable for a decision that fails to align with its own rules, precedent and the documented medical record," according to Thamel.
Attorney Tom Mars, who is representing Chambliss, 23, confirmed his plans to sue the NCAA for previously denying his sixth-year of eligibility earlier this month.
Mars confirmed to ESPN that he and Liston "have worked most of the weekend preparing a Complaint for a Preliminary and Permanent Injunction on behalf of Trinidad Chambliss."
"We expect the lawsuit to be far more detailed and documented than other eligibility lawsuits that have been filed in the past year," he added. “Therefore, considerable work needs to be done before we’ll be prepared to seek an injunction that would allow Trinidad to play next season. Unless the NCAA appeals committee overturns the denial of the waiver before then, we currently anticipate filing the lawsuit in Mississippi state court toward the end of week. In the meantime, we won’t have any further comment.”
Chambliss and Ole Miss reportedly reached a new deal that would allow him to return to the program pending the waiver approval earlier this week. The former Division II Ferris State transfer led the Rebels to a 13-2 record (7-1 SEC), the best season in program history and an appearance in the College Football Playoff Semifinal before being eliminated by the Miami Hurricanes in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8.
The redshirt senior took over for injured starter Austin Simmons during Ole Miss' third game of the season and threw for 3,660 yards, 21 touchdowns and three interceptions, while also recording 520 yards and eight touchdowns on 128 rushing attempts, having been named the SEC Newcomer of the Year and placing eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Chambliss' reported decision to stay at Ole Miss if approved by the NCAA came after speculation that he could follow former head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. -- who still coached in Ole Miss' three playoff games despite announcing his decision to join Kiffin's new staff -- to LSU next season.