A Texas judge on Wednesday ruled in favor of Indiana starting safety Louis Moore, granting eligibility to the Hoosiers defensive leader. This allows him to continue playing this season as IU Football looks to return to the College Football Playoff.
Moore challenged the NCAA's five-year eligibility rule, arguing his three years at Navarro Junior College in Texas should not count against his eligibility. The lawsuit, filed in August, was similar to the one brought forward by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. According to the court document, judge Dale Tillery ruled that the NCAA's eligibility rule violated the Texas Antitrust Act.
According to the temporary injunction order, filed in the District Court of Dallas County, Texas, the order was necessary because of "The immediate need to allow Moore to play football for Indiana for the 2025-26 season, in order to prevent irreparable harm to Moore's career-including development with the Team, the opportunity to play with the Team, and the opportunity to effectuate his NIL deal."
"This is a big victory for not only Louis Moore, but for all similarly situated student athletes who have illegally had their eligibility for attending junior colleges taken from them by the NCAA," said Brian P. Lauten, one of Moore's attorneys via ESPN. "I am so proud of Louis for navigating this. Louis leads Indiana in tackles, interceptions, pass breakups, and he's had to do that while living a lawsuit. I couldn't be more proud of him. He has earned everything he deserves."
Moore leads Indiana with 23 tackles and two interceptions this season. His second stint with the Hoosiers after spending last year at Ole Miss. Overall, this marks Moore's seventh year of college football.
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