A federal appeals court has paused a significant legal decision that would have allowed many student-athletes to gain a fifth season of eligibility. The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver agreed to the NCAA's request to suspend the lower court's order while the case is under appeal.
This situation creates uncertainty for athletes who were previously told they could extend their playing careers, including Ahmaad Moses from SMU.
The initial decision, made by U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeney, stated that athletes who graduated high school in 2022 and had used their four seasons of eligibility this past spring were eligible for an additional year.
This ruling was the result of legal challenges from players who argued they were unfairly treated compared to those in the Classes of 2020 and 2021, who received eligibility relief during the pandemic. The NCAA is also moving towards a new model that allows five seasons of play within a five-year period.
Moses, a native of Arlington, Texas, began his college career at SMU in 2022 and completed four seasons with the Mustangs, where he served as a captain and received All-ACC first-team recognition in 2025. An injury has complicated his plans to enter the professional ranks, as a recent MRI revealed a herniated disk requiring surgery.