PITTSBORO — Trinidad Chambliss apparently will make an encore performance after leading Ole Miss to the most successful season in school history.

In a tiny town of about 150 people, with at least that many spectators in a Calhoun County courtroom on Thursday, Chancery Judge Robert Whitwell granted 23-year-old Chambliss a temporary restraining order against the NCAA after day-long court proceedings.

The ruling virtually assures that Chambliss will be the Ole Miss quarterback when the Rebels open the 2026 season in September.

Chambliss presumably will enter the season as a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy. He finished eighth in Heisman voting in 2025.

Whitwell ruled that the NCAA “acted in bad faith” in denying Chambliss’s appeal for another season of eligibility.

Stunningly, lawyers for the NCAA did not stick around to hear Whitwell’s decision, angering the judge who said he would consider holding them in contempt.

Chambliss transferred to Ole Miss last spring after leading Michigan’s Ferris State University to the Division II national championship in the 2024 season.

The NCAA argued that Chambliss, who spent four years at Ferriss and then one at Ole Miss, had used up his allowed five years of eligibility to play a maximum of four seasons.

But Chambliss didn’t play at all his first two seasons at Ferris. He red-shirted as a freshman in 2021 and then was plagued by severe upper respiratory illness as a sophomore. He testified that he was told the 2022 season would count as a medical redshirt season. The NCAA argued otherwise.

Chambliss’s lawyers called on Dr. Ford Dye, who’s an Oxford ear, nose and throat specialist; Ole Miss quarterbacks coach Joe Judge; Chambliss’ mother, Cheryl Chambliss; and Trinidad Chambliss himself as witnesses. The NCAA called no witnesses.

Ole Miss’ athletic department issued a statement praising the judge’s “thoughtful consideration” of the circumstances of Chambliss’ appeal.

“We believe this outcome affirms what we have maintained throughout this process that Trinidad deserves the opportunity to compete and complete his collegiate career on the field,” the department said. “Trinidad has demonstrated tremendous perseverance, character and commitment to his teammates, this university and college football.”

The NCAA released a statement expressing frustration with the legal system, but the organization did not say whether it would appeal the ruling.

“This decision in a state court illustrates the impossible situation created by differing court decisions that serve to undermine rules agreed to by the same NCAA members who later challenge them in court,” the NCAA said. “We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against repeated attempts to rob future generations of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create.

“The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for current and future college athletes.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.