A Dallas judge has issued a temporary restraining order that permits Ahmaad Moses, a safety for SMU, to seek a fifth season of college football eligibility. This legal decision also protects around two dozen outgoing seniors from being barred from returning to college sports by the NCAA, the SEC, and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
If these organizations wish to contest any of the returns, they must do so in court.
Moses, who went undrafted this year and has not signed a professional contract, had plans to turn pro in 2026. However, a herniated disk discovered during the NFL scouting combine required spinal fusion surgery. Since he did not join a professional team, he is eligible to return to the Mustangs, where he has been practicing and has been named a team captain.
In 2025, he recorded 104 total tackles and five interceptions, earning All-ACC first-team honors.
This ruling follows recent changes by Power 4 conferences that restrict schools from accepting players with signed professional contracts. However, the restraining order explicitly states that the NCAA and SEC cannot block players based on their professional status. The order also includes Jordan Hudson, a former SMU receiver now with the Dallas Cowboys.
