Trinidad Chambliss Says Eligibility Issues Cost QB EA Sports College Football 27 Video Game Cover

Trinidad Chambliss' battle with the NCAA over his eligibility has led to significant NIL ramifications, the Ole Miss quarterback revealed Thursday.

In a court filing on Thursday, Chambliss said that the uncertainty around his future in college football led to him missing out on being on the cover of EA's College Football 27, per The Athletic's Matt Baker.

Chambliss said that he was one of three finalists, "if not EA Sports' favored player," to be on the cover as of last week. On Monday, the company notified him that it "just can't stomach the risk" of him not playing this fall.

Thursday's filing explained that missing out on the cover cost Chambliss more than just the money he would have earned from it.

"In addition to the NIL compensation which Trinidad would have received for being featured on the cover, Trinidad would have enjoyed heightened notoriety and prestige since the cover shot is considered an honor in college football and in the gaming community," the filing said. "Appearing on the cover would have created organic publicity for Trinidad, enhancing both his marketability and publicity rights. Being on the cover would have been personally meaningful to Trinidad, who could have shown his cover photo to potential employers and even his children and grandchildren."

In February, a state court judge in Mississippi granted Chambliss a preliminary injunction to give him a sixth year of eligibility, which would allow him to play for Ole Miss in 2026.

However, the NCAA appealed the injunction last week, filing a motion asking the Mississippi State Supreme Court to "overrule the injunction and expedite the ruling."

According to Baker, Chambliss asked the lower courts to update his complaint after he was told he would not be on the cover of the video game. The updated filing "seeks damages for lost NIL money plus damages to his brand and marketability."

Chambliss played four seasons at Division-II Ferris State before transferring to Ole Miss last season. He led the Rebels to their first College Football Playoff appearance behind 3,937 yards and 30 total touchdowns. If he can return, Chambliss is likely to be one of college football's top players once again.