Ismail Mahdi

Ismail Mahdi
Arizona Wildcats
PositionRunning back
ClassJunior
MajorExercise and Sports Science
Personal information
Born: (2003-05-28) May 28, 2003 (age 21)
Kenya
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolPlano East
(Plano, Texas)
Career highlights and awards

Ismail Mahdi (born May 28, 2003) is a Kenyan college football running back for the Arizona Wildcats. Mahdi began his college career with Houston Christian before transferring to Texas State Bobcats in 2023.

Early life

Mahdi's father was Somali and his mother was Kenyan.[1] They fled Somalia due to the Somali civil war, and Mahdi was born in a refugee camp in Kenya on May 28, 2003.[2][1]

In late 2003, Mahdi and his family migrated to the United States, residing in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.[3] Mahdi attended Plano East Senior High School in Plano, Texas. As a junior, he totaled 1,607 yards and 15 touchdowns.[4] As a senior, Mahdi rushed for 1,362 yards and 14 touchdowns, before his season was ended due to a knee injury.[5] He committed to play college football at Houston Christian University.

College career

Houston Christian

As a freshman, Mahdi recorded 568 rushing yards, 333 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns, being named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award.[6] After the season, he entered the transfer portal.

Texas State

Following his decision to transfer to Texas State University, Mahdi led the FBS in all-purpose yards through five games, recording 934 total yards.[7][8] In the first game of the season against Baylor, Mahdi tallied 83 yards rushing and two total touchdowns, in a 42–31 upset win.[9] Against Nevada, he rushed for a career-high 216 yards and two touchdowns.[10] The following week, Mahdi returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, while also rushing for three touchdowns, helping lead Texas State to a 50–36 victory over Southern Mississippi.[11] As a result of his performance, he was named the Hornung Award National Player of the Week.[12][13]

On December 9, 2024, Mahdi announced that he would enter the transfer portal.[14]

Arizona

On December 21, 2024, Mahdi announced that he would transfer to Arizona.[15]

College statistics
Season Games Rushing Receiving
GP Att Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD
Houston Christian Huskies
2022 8 104 459 4.4 1 30 250 8.3 2
Texas State Bobcats
2023 13 223 1,331 6.0 10 20 275 13.8 1
2024 12 183 991 5.4 4 24 195 8.1 2
Arizona Wildcats
2025 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0
Career 33 510 2,781 5.5 15 74 720 9.7 5

References

  1. ^ a b Kutz, Chris. ""Who is that guy?" Mahdi is Introducing Himself to the College Football World". txst.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Ismail Mahdi: From Refugee Camp to College Football Star". BVM Sports. October 6, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  3. ^ ""Who is that guy?" Mahdi is Introducing Himself to the College Football World". Texas State Athletics. September 6, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  4. ^ Kretzschmar, Rick (September 22, 2021). "Angles have been key for Plano East RB Ismail Mahdi, 6A's rushing leader". Dallas News. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  5. ^ "Plano East loses star running back Ismail Mahdi, quarterback Drew DeVillier to injuries". Dallas News. October 26, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "FB: Mahdi Named Jerry Rice Award Finalist". Houston Christian University Athletics. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Texas State's Ismail Mahdi leads FBS in all-purpose yardage, Bobcats off to best start since '05". KXAN Austin. October 2, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Michalowski, George (October 2, 2023). "GJ Kinne Won the Lottery with Addition of Elite RB Ismail Mahdi". The Portal Report. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  9. ^ Ciardello, Keff. "Texas State's Ismail Mahdi scores Bobcats' first two touchdowns of the season in first win". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  10. ^ "Mahdi rushes for 216 yards to help Texas State rally past Nevada 35–24". AP News. September 24, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  11. ^ "Ismail Mahdi scores four times and Texas State holds off Southern Miss in 50–36 shootout". AP News. October 1, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  12. ^ "Louisville Sports Commission – Louisville Knows Sports » WEEK 5: Players from Four Different Conferences Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll". Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Ciardello, Keff (October 3, 2023). "Texas State seeks 5–1 start behind Ismail Mahdi's strong start to the season". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  14. ^ Grubbs, Grant (December 9, 2024). "Texas State RB Ismail Mahdi plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal". On3.com. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  15. ^ Pedersen, Brian J. (December 21, 2024). "Ex-Texas State running back Ismail Mahdi commits to Arizona". Arizona Desert Swarm. Retrieved January 1, 2025.