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 as the appeals process continues.
The original decision by U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeney stated that athletes who graduated high school in 2022 and completed their four seasons of eligibility this spring could receive an extra year. This ruling was made in response to claims from players who felt they were unfairly denied the same relief granted to earlier classes during the pandemic.
The NCAA is also considering a new eligibility model that would allow up to five seasons of play within a five-year period.
Moses, who hails from Arlington, began his college football career at SMU in 2022 and has been a standout player, earning All-ACC first-team honors. After an injury led to him going undrafted, he had hoped to return for another season. SMU's head coach Rhett Lashlee expressed support for Moses' potential return, emphasizing the benefits of a healthy season for his future prospects.
However, the current legal situation complicates matters, as Moses has not pursued individual eligibility through separate lawsuits. While he continues to practice with the team, the uncertainty surrounding the legal outcome leaves his status unclear as the season opener against Florida State approaches.
