A Dallas judge issued a temporary restraining order that permits Ahmaad Moses, a safety for Southern Methodist University (SMU), to seek a fifth season of eligibility in college football. This legal decision also affects around two dozen outgoing seniors, preventing the NCAA, SEC, and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey from blocking their return 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 went undrafted this year and has not signed a professional contract, had planned to enter the professional ranks in 2026. However, an MRI during the NFL scouting combine revealed a herniated disk necessitating spinal fusion surgery. As he did not sign with a professional team, he is eligible to return to the Mustangs.
He has been actively practicing with SMU during fall camp and was recognized as a team captain, as well as an All-ACC first-team selection in 2025, with a record of 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. The restraining order explicitly states that the NCAA, SEC, and Sankey cannot prevent a player's return based on professional status. The order also applies to Jordan Hudson, a former SMU receiver now with the Dallas Cowboys.
Additionally, the NCAA is adopting a "five for five" model, allowing athletes to compete for five seasons within a five-year timeframe, although athletes from the high school Class of 2022, like Moses, were initially excluded from this rule.
