A Dallas judge has issued a temporary restraining order permitting Ahmaad Moses, a safety from SMU, to pursue a fifth season of eligibility in college football. This legal ruling prevents the NCAA, SEC, and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey from blocking the return of approximately two dozen outgoing seniors to college sports.
Should the NCAA or SEC wish to contest any of these returns, they are required to present their case in court.
Moses, who remains unsigned by any professional team after going undrafted earlier this year, had planned to enter the professional ranks in 2026. However, an MRI during the NFL scouting combine revealed a herniated disk that necessitated spinal fusion surgery. Since he has not signed with a professional organization, he is eligible to rejoin the Mustangs.
He has been actively participating in fall camp and has been recognized as a team captain, in addition to being selected as an All-ACC first-team player in 2025 with 104 total tackles and five interceptions.
This ruling follows new regulations from Power 4 conferences that restrict schools from accepting players who have signed professional contracts. Nevertheless, the restraining order explicitly states that the NCAA and SEC cannot impede 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 to allow athletes to compete for five seasons within a five-year timeframe. Athletes from the high school Class of 2022, like Moses, were initially excluded from this model.
