A federal appeals court has placed a temporary hold on a ruling that would have allowed numerous student-athletes 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 decision while the appeals process is underway.
This situation creates uncertainty for players, including Ahmaad Moses from SMU, who were previously informed they could extend their collegiate careers.
The initial ruling 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 would be entitled to an extra year.
This decision followed legal challenges from players in that class, who argued they were unfairly denied the same relief granted to the Classes of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. The NCAA is also working towards a new model that allows for five seasons of play within a five-year period starting from initial enrollment or the year after turning 19.
Moses, a native of Arlington, began his college football journey at SMU in the fall of 2022. He served as a team captain and received All-ACC first-team honors in 2025, recording 104 tackles and five interceptions. Although he aimed to enter the professional league, an injury prevented that, and he went undrafted.