A temporary restraining order issued by a Dallas judge allows Ahmaad Moses, a safety for Southern Methodist University (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 blocking Moses and about two dozen other outgoing seniors from returning to college sports, unless they present their arguments in court.
Moses, who went undrafted this year, has not signed a professional contract. He had planned to enter the professional ranks in 2026, but a herniated disk discovered during the NFL scouting combine required spinal fusion surgery. Since he has not signed with a professional team, he is eligible to return to the Mustangs.
During fall camp, he has been practicing with the team and has been recognized as a 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 restrict schools from accepting players with signed professional contracts. However, the restraining order clarifies that the NCAA, SEC, and Sankey cannot impede a player's return based on their professional status. The order also affects Jordan Hudson, a former SMU receiver now with the Dallas Cowboys.
The NCAA's new "five for five" model allows athletes to play five seasons within a five-year window, although athletes from the high school Class of 2022 were initially excluded from this rule.
