Mahdi, Harris rejoin Arizona football following court ruling granting extra year of eligibility
Arizona says the two starters are returning after a federal ruling gave Class of 2022 athletes a fifth year of eligibility.
- On Monday, Arizona Football announced that running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris are rejoining the team, integrating into preseason activities just 26 days before the season opener against Northern Arizona.
- U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted Class of 2022 athletes an extra year of eligibility in a federal court injunction, allowing players who have not signed professional contracts to return to competition.
- Mahdi was the Wildcats' 2025 leading rusher with 853 yards and four touchdowns, while Harris recorded 78 tackles and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors last season.
- Their return strengthens a roster that previously added Marshall transfer Antwan Roberts, the 39th overall running back in 247Sports transfer rankings, providing depth at multiple positions.
- The NCAA has indicated it will appeal the ruling, leaving uncertainty across college football as the season begins in less than a month despite the injunction remaining in effect.
21 Articles
21 Articles
RB Ismail Mahdi, LB Max Harris rejoin Arizona for fifth year of eligibility
Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris are back with the Wildcats after earning an extra year of eligibility, the school announced Monday. The two 2025 honorable mention All-Big 12 players secured eligibility for this season whe...
Arizona Running Back to Return for Fifth Season
In July 2026, a federal court injunction granted Class of 2022 athletes a waiver for a fifth year of college eligibility if they haven’t signed a pro contract and are 24 or younger.This threw a wrench in the NCAA’s plans, and with less than a month before the college football season starts, it could create […] The post Arizona Running Back to Return for Fifth Season appeared first on HEAVY.
Associated Press News
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.
3 Key Players Return to Southern Miss After NCAA Eligibility Ruling: Why It Matters
The Golden Eagles are getting some added depth to their offensive and defensive lines thanks to a court ruling allowing high school Class of 2022 athletes a fifth year of NCAA eligibility.
What Wisne v. NCAA Means for the Class of 2022, Transfer Timing, and the Post-House Compliance Playbook
The Wisne July 31 OrdersOn July 8, 2026, a group of Division I athletes led by Brock Wisne sued the NCAA, challenging the implementation of the new five-year eligibility model. The plaintiffs alleged that the NCAA unlawfully excluded athletes who enrolled in 2022, competed in four seasons, and were denied a fifth season solely because they had already exhausted four seasons under the prior framework. The preliminary-injunction motion proceeded p…
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