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 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 ongoing.
This situation creates uncertainty for players who were led to believe they could extend their athletic careers.
The original ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeney stated that athletes who finished high school in 2022 and completed their four seasons of competition this spring could receive an extra year.
This decision arose from legal challenges by players in that class, who argued they were unfairly treated compared to the Classes of 2020 and 2021, which received additional eligibility relief during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the NCAA is working towards a new model that would allow athletes to play five seasons within a five-year timeframe starting from their initial enrollment or the year they turn 19.
Moses, who hails from Arlington, began his time at SMU in the fall of 2022 and completed four full seasons with the Mustangs. He was a team captain and received All-ACC first-team recognition in 2025, recording 104 tackles and five interceptions. An injury, however, has complicated his plans to enter the professional arena.
After an MRI revealed a herniated disk requiring surgery, he went undrafted and remains unsigned.
