SMU's Ahmaad Moses Seeks Eligibility Ruling Wednesday
The SMU defensive back's hearing in Hidalgo County Court will determine whether he can play Friday against Virginia Tech.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
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SMU defensive back Ahmaad Moses has a hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Hidalgo County Court seeking a court order granting him eligibility for a fifth season. If the hearing does not grant eligibility, SMU will play Virginia Tech on Friday without him.
Why it matters
Moses was not medically cleared after a herniated disk required spinal fusion surgery, and the temporary restraining order granting him eligibility expired before clearance. Moses is one of several athletes in the Class of 2022 who filed suit against the NCAA after missing both the new five-for-five eligibility model and COVID-19 eligibility relief.
Moses recorded 104 total tackles and a team-high five interceptions in 2025, when he was a team captain and All-ACC first-team selection. The outcome of Wednesday's hearing remains unresolved, and it is not yet known whether a judge will extend the temporary restraining order before Friday.
The players
Ahmaad Moses
Moses is an SMU defensive back and former team captain who was named All-ACC first-team in 2025.
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the governing body for college sports, which shifted to a five-for-five eligibility model starting this year.
The details
Moses was granted a fifth year in August by a judge in Dallas, but the temporary restraining order expired before he was medically cleared following spinal fusion surgery. He joined a suit against the NCAA alongside Monty Hunt, Declan Williams, and Hali Hartman, arguing that the Class of 2022 missed both the new eligibility system and COVID-19 relief.
Timeline
August: A judge in Dallas grants Moses a fifth year of eligibility.
April: Moses is not drafted after his herniated disk is discovered at the NFL scouting combine.
Two weeks ago: SMU safety Tyren Polley Jr. suffers a season-ending injury.
Wednesday, 9 a.m.: Moses' eligibility hearing in Hidalgo County Court.
Season Trajectory
The NCAA's shift to a five-for-five eligibility model starting this year is the backdrop for Moses' lawsuit, which argues the Class of 2022 was left out of both that system and COVID-19 relief. Moses' availability affects a secondary that has already lost Tyren Polley Jr. to a season-ending injury, with four regular-season games remaining.
If the hearing does not grant eligibility, SMU's secondary will be without Moses for Friday's game against Virginia Tech. Fantasy managers tracking SMU defensive players should watch Wednesday's ruling before lineup decisions.
The takeaway
Eligibility rules in college football are still being tested in court, and athletes caught between old and new systems may face uncertainty even after receiving favorable rulings.
What happens next
Moses' hearing is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday in Hidalgo County Court, and the outcome will determine whether he can play against Virginia Tech on Friday.
Further reading
For more on SMU's season, see Dallas Football.
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