A federal appeals court has temporarily halted a ruling that would have allowed thousands of student-athletes, including SMU safety Ahmaad Moses, to compete for an additional season of college eligibility. The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver granted the NCAA’s request to suspend the lower court’s order while the appeals process is ongoing.
The initial decision by U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeney stated that athletes who graduated high school in 2022 and completed their four seasons of eligibility this spring could receive an extra year. This ruling came after legal challenges from players who argued they were unfairly denied the same eligibility relief given to the Classes of 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.
The NCAA is also working on a new model that would allow up to five seasons of play within a five-year period.
Moses, who began his collegiate career at SMU in 2022, completed four seasons and was a team captain. He earned All-ACC first-team honors in 2025, making 104 total tackles and five interceptions. An injury has complicated his plans to enter the professional ranks, as an MRI revealed a herniated disk requiring spinal fusion surgery, which left him undrafted.
While Moses continues to practice with the team, the legal hold complicates his eligibility status. Although some athletes have secured individual fifth years through separate lawsuits, Moses has not pursued that route. The timeline for a final legal resolution remains uncertain, with SMU’s season opener against Florida State scheduled for Sept. 7.
