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.
| No. 21 – Arizona Wildcats | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Class | Senior |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 28, 2003 Kenya |
| Listed height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Listed weight | 179 lb (81 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Plano East (Plano, Texas, U.S.) |
| College |
|
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats at ESPN | |
Early life
editMahdi'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
editHouston Christian
editAs 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
editFollowing 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
editOn December 21, 2024, Mahdi announced that he would transfer to the University of Arizona.[15]
Statistics
edit| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD | ||
| 2022 | Houston Christian | 8 | 104 | 459 | 4.4 | 1 | 30 | 250 | 8.3 | 2 |
| 2023 | Texas State | 13 | 223 | 1,331 | 6.0 | 10 | 20 | 275 | 13.8 | 1 |
| 2024 | Texas State | 12 | 183 | 991 | 5.4 | 4 | 24 | 195 | 8.1 | 2 |
| 2025 | Arizona | 13 | 134 | 859 | 6.4 | 4 | 17 | 119 | 7.0 | 1 |
| Career | 46 | 644 | 3,640 | 5.6 | 19 | 91 | 839 | 9.2 | 6 | |
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 8+1⁄4 in (1.73 m) | 179 lb (81 kg) | 29 in (0.74 m) | 9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) | 5 ft 9+1⁄8 in (1.76 m) | 4.51 s | 1.53 s | 2.58 s | 4.71 s | 7.63 s | 33.5 in (0.85 m) | 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) | 10 reps |
| All values from Pro Day[16] | ||||||||||||
References
edit- 1 2 Kutz, Chris. ""Who is that guy?" Mahdi is Introducing Himself to the College Football World". txst.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ↑ "Ismail Mahdi: From Refugee Camp to College Football Star". BVM Sports. October 6, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ↑ ""Who is that guy?" Mahdi is Introducing Himself to the College Football World". Texas State Athletics. September 6, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Plano East loses star running back Ismail Mahdi, quarterback Drew DeVillier to injuries". Dallas News. October 26, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ↑ "FB: Mahdi Named Jerry Rice Award Finalist". Houston Christian University Athletics. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Michalowski, George (October 2, 2023). "GJ Kinne Won the Lottery with Addition of Elite RB Ismail Mahdi". The Portal Report. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Mahdi rushes for 216 yards to help Texas State rally past Nevada 35–24". AP News. September 24, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Louisville Sports Commission – Louisville Knows Sports » WEEK 5: Players from Four Different Conferences Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll". Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Grubbs, Grant (December 9, 2024). "Texas State RB Ismail Mahdi plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal". On3.com. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ↑ Pedersen, Brian J. (December 21, 2024). "Ex-Texas State running back Ismail Mahdi commits to Arizona". Arizona Desert Swarm. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ "Ismail Mahdi College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 4, 2026.