A judge in Dallas has issued a temporary restraining order that enables Ahmaad Moses, a safety at SMU, to seek a fifth season of eligibility in college football. This legal decision prevents the NCAA, the SEC, and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey from hindering the return of around two dozen senior athletes to college sports.
Should the NCAA or SEC wish to contest any of these returns, they must do so in court.
Moses, who was not selected in the recent NFL draft, has yet to sign a professional contract. Originally planning to turn professional in 2026, he faced a setback when an MRI revealed a herniated disk that required spinal fusion surgery. As he has not joined a professional team, he is eligible to return to the Mustangs.
He has been participating in fall camp and has been recognized as a team captain and an All-ACC first-team selection in 2025, accumulating 104 total tackles and five interceptions.
This ruling follows new regulations from Power 4 conferences that prevent schools from accepting players who have already signed professional contracts. The restraining order clarifies that the NCAA, SEC, and Sankey are not allowed to prevent a player’s return due to their professional status. The order also encompasses Jordan Hudson, a former SMU receiver now with the Dallas Cowboys.
The NCAA is adopting a "five for five" model, allowing athletes to play five seasons within a five-year period. However, athletes from the high school Class of 2022, including Moses, were initially excluded from this rule.
