A federal appeals court has put a temporary hold on a ruling that would have allowed many 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 pause the lower court's order while the appeals process is underway.
The original 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 should receive an extra year. This ruling came after legal challenges from players who claimed they were unfairly denied the same eligibility relief granted to earlier classes during the pandemic.
The NCAA is also moving towards a new model allowing up to five seasons of play within a five-year period.
Moses, from Arlington, Texas, started his college football career at SMU in 2022 and has completed four seasons. He was a team captain and earned All-ACC first-team honors in 2025. An injury prevented him from entering the professional ranks, leading to him remaining unsigned this offseason.
While he continues to practice with the team, the current legal hold complicates his eligibility status as he awaits further court decisions. The timing of the resolution is uncertain, with SMU's season opener against Florida State set for Sept. 7.
