A Dallas judge signed a temporary restraining order on Thursday that allows Ahmaad Moses, a safety for SMU, to pursue a fifth season of college football eligibility. The legal document prohibits the NCAA, the SEC, and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey from preventing a group of approximately two dozen outgoing seniors from returning to college sports.
According to the order, if the NCAA or SEC wishes to block any of these returns, they must present their arguments in court before the judge.
Moses, who went undrafted earlier this year, has not signed a professional contract. He had intended to turn professional in 2026, but an MRI at the NFL scouting combine revealed a herniated disk that required spinal fusion surgery. Because he did not sign with a professional team, he appears eligible to return to the Mustangs.
He has been practicing with SMU during fall camp and was named a team captain and an All-ACC first-team selection in 2025, recording 104 total tackles and five interceptions.
The ruling comes after Power 4 conferences passed rules earlier in the week prohibiting schools from accepting players who have signed professional contracts. However, the new restraining order specifically states that the NCAA, SEC, and Sankey cannot block a player's return based on their professional status. The order also includes Jordan Hudson, a former SMU receiver who is currently with the Dallas Cowboys.
