A temporary restraining order issued by a Dallas court has allowed 18 college football players, including Ahmaad Moses from SMU, to gain a fifth year of eligibility for the 2026 season.
This decision comes just before the college football season begins and follows the Wisne v. NCAA ruling on July 31, which had already enabled athletes who graduated high school in 2022 to prolong their eligibility. The NCAA's appeal of that decision has been set aside by this latest injunction.
Ahmaad Moses, who was named a First Team All-ACC player in 2025, has played 54 games and started 19 during his time with the Mustangs. He played a key role in the team’s achievements, contributing to a conference championship in 2023 and a College Football Playoff run in 2024.
In the previous season, he topped the team with 104 tackles and five interceptions, in addition to 5.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
Notably, Moses excelled in a game against Miami (FL), where he achieved a career-high of 15 tackles and intercepted two passes, aiding in an overtime win. After declaring for the NFL Draft post-2025 season, he encountered a setback due to a herniated disk discovered during an MRI, necessitating spinal fusion surgery.
This injury is thought to have affected his NFL prospects, allowing him to meet the criteria for a return under the ACC's revised eligibility guidelines.
