A Dallas judge issued a temporary restraining order that permits Ahmaad Moses, a safety for Southern Methodist University, to pursue an additional year of college football eligibility. This order prevents the NCAA, the SEC, and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey from obstructing a group of roughly two dozen outgoing seniors from returning to college athletics.
If the NCAA or SEC intends to challenge any of these returns, they must present their case in court before the judge.
Moses, who went undrafted this year, has not yet signed a professional contract. He had planned to enter the professional ranks in 2026, but an MRI conducted during the NFL scouting combine indicated a herniated disk that necessitated spinal fusion surgery. Since he has not signed with a professional team, he is likely eligible to return to the Mustangs.
He has been training with SMU during fall camp and has been recognized as a team captain and an All-ACC first-team selection in 2025, accumulating 104 total tackles and five interceptions.
This ruling follows the recent enactment of rules by Power 4 conferences that restrict schools from taking in players who have signed professional contracts. Nevertheless, the restraining order explicitly states that the NCAA, SEC, and Sankey cannot prevent a player from returning due to their professional status. The order also encompasses Jordan Hudson, a former SMU receiver now with the Dallas Cowboys.
The NCAA is adopting a "five for five" model, allowing athletes to participate for up to five seasons within a five-year period. However, athletes from the high school Class of 2022, including Moses, were not initially part of this provision.
