Former Texas State running back and kick returner Ismail Mahdi transferred to the Arizona Wildcats, he announced on social media Saturday morning.
Mahdi selected the Wildcats over Arkansas and has one year of eligibility remaining.
The 5-9, 180-pound Mahdi led FBS in all-purpose yards (2,169) in 2023 and was a two-time All-Sun Belt First-Team member in the last two seasons. Mahdi was named a first-team All-American by CBS Sports and 247Sports in 2023. Football Writers Association of America gave Mahdi a second-team All-American nod as an all-purpose player in ’23.
Texas State running back Ismail Mahdi (21) celebrates with teammates after their 45-21 win over Rice in the First Responder Bowl, Dec. 26, 2023, in Dallas.
The Murphy, Texas, native started his college career at Houston Christian before Mahdi transferred to Texas State. In two seasons with the Bobcats, Mahdi had 406 rush attempts for 2,322 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 31 kick returns for 760 yards and a touchdown. Mahdi’s career-high is 216 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries against Nevada in 2023. Mahdi had four performances with over 100 yards in 2024, including his 147-yard outing against South Alabama to end the season.
Mahdi joins an Arizona running back room that’s losing leading rusher Quali Conley, Rayshon Luke — who redshirted this past season and entered the transfer portal — and redshirt freshman Brandon Johnson.
The Wildcats return redshirt freshman Kedrick Reescano, who transferred from Ole Miss last season. Reescano had 78 carries for 359 yards and a touchdown in his first season at Arizona. Arizona also has walk-on fullback and former Canyon del Oro High School star Kayden Luke.
Arizona signed three-star running back and Houston-area native Wesley Yarbrough in its 2025 recruiting class. At Crosby High School in Crosby, Texas, Yarbrough had 458 rushes for 2,767 yards and 32 touchdowns in three seasons.
When the UA coaching staff discussed recruiting areas earlier in the year, Arizona running backs coach Alonzo Carter volunteered to recruit the Houston and Dallas areas, especially for running backs.
“I was the first person to want to go to those areas, because ... I have a lot of ties to the South,” Carter said last month. “I have a lot of ties in the state of Texas, I know a lot of high school coaches, so to be able to go down there was fun because my peers were a little nervous.
“I always told them, ‘If I get a different logo, all of ya’ll are in trouble because you know I can only recruit west coast. If you put me where I can go national, all of ya’ll are in trouble.’ Plus, I can get some good food while I’m at it? I was all-in. ... I love going to Texas.”
Arizona now has 10 newcomers in the transfer portal.
