Ismail Mahdi
Ismail Mahdi 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. They fled Somalia due to the Somali civil war, and Mahdi was born in a refugee camp in Kenya on May 28, 2003.In late 2003, Mahdi and his family migrated to the United States, residing in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Mahdi attended Plano East [Senior High School] in Plano, Texas. As a junior, he totaled 1,607 yards and 15 touchdowns. As a senior, Mahdi rushed for 1,362 yards and 14 touchdowns, before his season was ended due to a knee injury. 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. 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. In the first game of the season against Baylor, Mahdi tallied 83 yards rushing and two total touchdowns, in a 42–31 upset win. Against Nevada, he rushed for a career-high 216 yards and two touchdowns. 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 Miss [Golden Eagles football|Southern Mississippi]. As a result of his performance, he was named the Hornung Award National Player of the Week.On December 9, 2024, Mahdi announced that he would enter the transfer portal.