A temporary restraining order signed by a Dallas judge allows Ahmaad Moses, a safety for SMU, to seek a fifth season of college football eligibility. This legal ruling also affects approximately two dozen outgoing seniors, preventing the NCAA, the SEC, and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey from blocking their return to college sports.
If the NCAA or SEC intends to challenge this order, they must present their case in court.
Moses, who went undrafted this year and has not signed a professional contract, is eligible to return to the Mustangs after an injury led to spinal fusion surgery. He has been active in fall camp and was recognized as a team captain and an All-ACC first-team selection in 2025, achieving 104 total tackles and five interceptions.
This ruling follows new regulations from Power 4 conferences that restrict schools from accepting players with signed professional contracts. However, the restraining order specifically allows players like Moses to return based on their professional status. The order also includes Jordan Hudson, a former SMU receiver now with the Dallas Cowboys.
The NCAA's new "five for five" model permits athletes to play for five seasons within a five-year timeframe, although athletes from the high school Class of 2022 were initially excluded from this provision.
