Ismail Mahdi News, Rumors, Updates - Arizona Wildcats

Deadspin | RB Ismail Mahdi, LB Max Harris rejoin Arizona for fifth year of eligibility Deadspin | RB Ismail Mahdi, LB Max Harris rejoin Arizona for fifth year of eligibility

4 DAYS AGO • DEADSPIN.COM

Mahdi, Harris rejoin Arizona football following court ruling granting extra year of eligibility

Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris have rejoined the team following a court ruling granting Class of 2022 athletes an extra year of eligibility

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Will return to Arizona Mahdi will return to Arizona for his 2026 season, Justin Spears of Tucson.com reports.

Impact Not long after it was announced that student-athletes could log a fifth year of collegiate eligibility, it meant the freshman class of 2022 recruits could be eligible for another season. Mahdi fits in that category, having debuted with Houston Baptist that year. The running back subsequently transferred to Texas State, where he logged two excellent seasons good enough to warrant interest from Arizona for 2025. That year, his first with the Wildcats, Mahdi logged 133 rushing attempts for 853 yards (6.4 averaged per carry) and four touchdowns. With him back, that may change the trajectory of the Wildcats' running back room, and it makes sense that they revert to him as their option considering his previous success.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Considering return to college Mahdi could return to college for the 2026 football season, according to On3.com.

Impact Mahdi could add depth to Arizona's RB room if he decides to return to college since he qualifies to have an extra year of eligibility based on the latest ruling. Mahdi rushed for 859 yards and four touchdowns at Arizona last season and went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Solid showing in Holiday Bowl Mahdi had 11 carries for 68 yards and caught all four targets for 23 yards during Friday's 24-19 defeat to Southern Methodist.

Impact Mahdi led the backfield with Kedrick Reescano getting banged up early and handled 11 carries to go along with a season-best four catches. The senior was unable to find paydirt in this one and finishes out what should be his final collegiate campaign with 133 totes for 853 yards and fourtouchdowns, adding 17 catches for 119 yards and another score as a receiver. Mahdi is a bit undersized at 5-foot-9, 184 pounds, and he doesn't appear on many big boards as an NFL prospect.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

59 yards in Friday's win Mahdi posted 14 carries for 53 yards during Friday's 23-7 victory versus Arizona State.

Impact Mahdi split touches fairly evenly with Kedrick Reescano in Friday's regular season finale, and he out-gained his teammate with 59 yards from scrimmage in the rivalry win. It capped off a strong regular season from the senior where he rushed for 785 yards and four touchdowns and caught 13 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in his first season with the Wildcats. He will look to finish out his senior campaign on a high note during bowl season.

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores again vs Baylor Mahdi posted 14 rushes for 93 yards and one touchdown and gathered in their only target for 11 yards during Saturday's 41-17 win against Baylor.

Impact Mahdi had a productive day Saturday despite splitting the backfield evenly with Kedrick Reescano. He rushed for 93 yards, his second most in a game this season, and scored his fifth touchdown of the season. Next up is the regular season finale at Arizona State on Friday.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Reescano runs for 3 TDs, Arizona uses fourth-quarter flurry to beat Baylor 41-17

Kedrick Reescano ran for three touchdowns, Jabari Mann returned an interception for a 34-yard touchdown and Arizona used a dominating fourth quarter to roll over Baylor 41-17

NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • Associated Press

Scores in win over Cincinnati Mahdi posted seven rushes for 48 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 30-24 victory versus Cincinnati.

Impact Mahdi scored his fourth touchdown of the season Saturday, a 27-yard touchdown just a minute into the contest. He continued his role as the team's No. 2 back, but he gained 40 yards in his fourth straight game. He's established a solid role in this offense, but Kedrick Reescano remains the more valuable Wildcats' running back.

NOVEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Arizona vs. Cincinnati Short Highlights 💪🏻

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 25 Cincinnati Bearcats Highlights | FOX College Football

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Fifita becomes Arizona's all-time leader in TD passes in 30-24 win over No. 22 Cincinnati

Noah Fifita passed for 294 yards and a touchdown to become Arizona’s all-time leader in TD passes as the Wildcats beat No. 22 Cincinnati 30-24 in the first game between the teams

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • Associated Press

Ismail Mahdi takes it to the HOUSE for 27 yards, giving Arizona early lead over Cincinnati

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

61 yards in win Mahdi posted seven carries for 61 yards during Saturday's 24-20 win over Kansas.

Impact Mahdi led the Wildcats' rushing attack Saturday, taking seven carries for 61 yards. It marked his fourth game this season with at least 60 yards. Although he's been fairly efficient with his touches, he has not had more than seven carries across his last four games so he's simply not getting enough work to make him a reliable fantasy option.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in Saturday's win Mahdi had three rushes for 85 yards and one touchdown and hauled in 0 of 1 targets for zero yards during Saturday's 52-17 victory versus Colorado.

Impact After three straight mediocre performances, Mahdi finally had a good performance Saturday. He only rushed a season-low three times, but he had a 68-yard rushing and a seven-yard rushing touchdown, giving him a productive day. The Wildcats gave five different running backs multiple carries in the blowout, so it's difficult to take too much away from this game. Mahdi should see more carries over the next four games, but at this point he's a touchdown or bust type of player.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Arizona Wildcats vs. Colorado Buffaloes Highlights | FOX College Football

NOVEMBER 2, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Arizona vs. Colorado Short Highlights

NOVEMBER 2, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

How Colorado Buffaloes Plan on Slowing Arizona Running Back Ismail Mahdi BOULDER — Stopping the run will again be critical for the Colorado Buffaloes' defense in Saturday's test against the versatile Arizona Wildc...

OCTOBER 30, 2025 • SI.COM

Shut down again Mahdi notched seven rushes for 21 yards during Saturday's 33-27 overtime loss against Brigham Young.

Impact Mahdi, who at one point looked like the Wildcats' clear number one back, was quieted once again in Saturday's loss. He ranked second on the team in carries and third in yards as Kedrick Reescano (13 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown) and Quincy Craig (six carries for 36 yards) both outplayed him. Reescano was hurt when Mahdi saw his increase in carries earlier this season, so now that Reescano's healthy this may be what Mahdi's role is going forward.

OCTOBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in Saturday's win Mahdi logged 14 rushes for 34 yards during Saturday's 41-13 win against Oklahoma State.

Impact Mahdi was shut down in Saturday's blowout win, taking 14 carries for only 34 yards, his fewest since the season opener. He also was not targeted for the first time this season. It was a very disappointing performance especially given the poor Oklahoma State defense. He will look to bounce back Saturday versus a better BYU defense.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

93 yards Saturday Mahdi had 13 rushes for 85 yards and hauled in all three targets for eight yards during Saturday's 39-14 defeat against Iowa State.

Impact After exploding for over 200 yards in Week 3 versus Kansas State, Mahdi put together a solid performance in Saturday's loss. He nearly gained 100 total yards, but the most notable part of his performance was that he firmly established himself as the Wildcats' number one back. He faces a much more favorable matchup Saturday versus Oklahoma State.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Running back Ismail Mahdi the latest Arizona football recruiting coup | Greg Hansen Greg Hansen's Notebook: Arizona football took a chance on underdog running back Ismail Mahdi. It's not the first time such a gamble has paid...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • TUCSON.COM

The Big 12's unexpected rise: Houston, Utah, UCF and Arizona are a combined 11-0. Are they for real?

Houston coach Willie Fritz has seen it all in college football

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • Associated Press

Dominant on ground Friday Mahdi tallied 22 carries for 189 yards and gathered in all two targets for 32 yards during Friday's 23-17 win against Kansas State.

Impact Mahdi was used heavily in Friday's win with Kedrick Reescano (undisclosed), taking 22 attempts for nearly 200 rushing yards. It marked his second most yards in his career and his most since September of 2023. Although he did not find the end zone in the win, he did enough in terms of yardage to give him a very good fantasy performance.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dominant on ground Friday Mahdi tallied 22 carries for 189 yards and gathered in all two targets for 32 yards during Friday's 23-17 win against Kansas State.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Mahdi, Harris rejoin Arizona football following court ruling granting extra year of eligibility

Reescano runs for 3 TDs, Arizona uses fourth-quarter flurry to beat Baylor 41-17

Arizona vs. Cincinnati Short Highlights 💪🏻

Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 25 Cincinnati Bearcats Highlights | FOX College Football

Fifita becomes Arizona's all-time leader in TD passes in 30-24 win over No. 22 Cincinnati

Ismail Mahdi takes it to the HOUSE for 27 yards, giving Arizona early lead over Cincinnati

Arizona Wildcats vs. Colorado Buffaloes Highlights | FOX College Football

Arizona vs. Colorado Short Highlights

The Big 12's unexpected rise: Houston, Utah, UCF and Arizona are a combined 11-0. Are they for real?