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 appeal is processed.
The original decision by U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeney stated that athletes who graduated high school in 2022 and used their four seasons of eligibility this spring could receive an extra year. This ruling followed legal challenges from players who felt they were unfairly treated compared to the Classes of 2020 and 2021, which received eligibility relief during the pandemic.
The NCAA is also working on a new model that would allow up to five seasons of play over five years.
Moses, a native of Arlington, began his collegiate career at SMU in 2022 and has completed four seasons with the Mustangs. He was a team captain and earned All-ACC first-team honors in 2025, recording 104 tackles and five interceptions.
An injury has complicated his plans to enter the professional ranks, and while he has not pursued individual legal action for a fifth year, he continues to practice with the team as he awaits the outcome of the legal proceedings. The uncertainty surrounding his eligibility comes as SMU prepares for its season opener against Florida State on Sept. 7.
