{"id":748532,"date":"2026-02-13T05:23:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T05:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/748532\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T05:23:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T05:23:14","slug":"steelers-2026-draft-qb-options-just-got-weaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/748532\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers’ 2026 Draft QB Options Just Got Weaker\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss appears to be getting another year of college eligibility. In a month-long battle with the NCAA to play another year in college, a Mississippi court sided with Chambliss. Judge Robert Whitwell granted an injunction that will allow Chambliss to return to Ole Miss for the 2026 season instead of entering April\u2019s NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Chambliss\u2019 case was repeatedly denied by the NCAA but in open court, the judge said the NCAA made the wrong judgment.<\/a> After an hour long reading of his ruling, Judge Whitwell granted Chambliss\u2019 request. He noted denying the injunction would create \u201cirreparable\u201d harm to Chambliss and very little to the NCAA.<\/p>\n

NEWS: Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss has been granted a sixth season of eligibility by a state court judge in Mississippi. Chambliss received an injunction today, which paves the way for him to play in 2026 after the NCAA ruled he was eligibility. (The NCAA can appeal.) pic.twitter.com\/nzeaak6uMq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The judge says that the NCAA “ignored” evidence from Ferris State over Chambliss’ illness in 2022 and the court finds that he was “clearly physically unfit” that season to play college football.<\/p>\n

The decision has not been read but it is quite clear. https:\/\/t.co\/Ej96qG4dgL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is substantial evidence that Trinidad will prevail on the merits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Judge Robert Whitwell just now<\/p>\n

\u2014 Andy Staples (@AndyStaples) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The issue stems from Chambliss missing the 2022 season at D-II Ferris State due to tonsilitis. The NCAA ruled a lack of medical records showed that wasn\u2019t enough cause<\/a> for medical hardship that would grant Chambliss another year in school. But unless this judge\u2019s decision is overruled, Chambliss will be allowed to return.<\/p>\n

Assuming so, it makes a shallow 2026 quarterback draft pool even weaker. Though the mere fact Chambliss fought so hard to stay in college was a sign the NFL didn\u2019t think highly of him, some draftniks believed he could be the third or fourth quarterback selected.<\/p>\n

Chambliss shined in his one year starting at Ole Miss. He was especially dynamic in the playoffs, throwing four touchdowns with zero interceptions and two additional rushing scores. He finished the season with nearly 4,000 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, three interceptions and eight rushing touchdowns. He spent the previous two years at Ferris State and made the case he was eligible for a fourth season. A judge agreed.<\/p>\n

With Chambliss out of the picture, Indiana\u2019s Fernando Mendoza and Alabama\u2019s Ty Simpson remain the clear-cut top quarterbacks of the class. Mendoza is a lock to be taken No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. Simpson\u2019s projection is more murky. Teams like Pittsburgh could consider him in the first round, though most analysts believe he\u2019ll be selected outside the top 32. Behind them are a long list of names hoping to be taken in the third round: LSU\u2019s Garrett Nussmeier, Clemson\u2019s Cade Klubnik, Penn State\u2019s Drew Allar and Arkansas\u2019 Taylen Green. None are viewed as franchise quarterbacks.<\/p>\n

The Steelers have reportedly done a \u201cton\u201d of homework<\/a> on this year\u2019s quarterback class. Whatever file the front office had on Chambliss can be stashed away until next season.<\/p>\n