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The Arizona Wildcats are set to return two of their top players from last year's team. The program announced on Monday that they are "beginning to integrate" running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris onto the team as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Both players were out of eligibility following the 2025 season, but have received a fifth year after a District Court judge in Colorado issued a preliminary injunction that grants athletes from the 2022 high school class an additional year of eligibility. The NCAA is expected to appeal the decision.
Harris earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition after playing in 12 of their 13 games last season, starting all 12. He finished the season with 78 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and seven quarterback hurries.
The 2025 season was his first at Arizona after he spent his freshman season at Incarnate Word. He transferred to Louisiana Monroe for his sophomore season before spending his junior season at Texas State. He has made 227 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, and forced three fumbles in 45 career games.
Mahdi was Arizona's top running back, leading the team in carries (133), yards (853), and yards per carry (6.4), to go with four touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 119 yards and another touchdown. He was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 189 yards against the Kansas State Wildcats.
The 2026 season will be his second season with the Wildcats. He started his career at Houston Christian in 2022 before spending his sophomore and junior seasons at Texas State. The veteran has played in 46 games during his career, rushing for 3,778 yards and 20 touchdowns.
While both players will have to quickly get up to speed with fall camp underway, they give Arizona two more proven veterans at key positions who are already familiar with the schemes. The Wildcats will open the season against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Sept 5.
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Arizona Wildcats announce return of two key players
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Both players were out of eligibility following the 2025 season, but have received a fifth year after a District Court judge in Colorado issued a preliminary injunction that grants athletes from the 2022 high school class an additional year of eligibility. The NCAA is expected to appeal the decision.
Harris earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition after playing in 12 of their 13 games last season, starting all 12. He finished the season with 78 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and seven quarterback hurries.
The 2025 season was his first at Arizona after he spent his freshman season at Incarnate Word. He transferred to Louisiana Monroe for his sophomore season before spending his junior season at Texas State. He has made 227 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, and forced three fumbles in 45 career games.
Mahdi was Arizona's top running back, leading the team in carries (133), yards (853), and yards per carry (6.4), to go with four touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 119 yards and another touchdown. He was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 189 yards against the Kansas State Wildcats.
The 2026 season will be his second season with the Wildcats. He started his career at Houston Christian in 2022 before spending his sophomore and junior seasons at Texas State. The veteran has played in 46 games during his career, rushing for 3,778 yards and 20 touchdowns.
While both players will have to quickly get up to speed with fall camp underway, they give Arizona two more proven veterans at key positions who are already familiar with the schemes. The Wildcats will open the season against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Sept 5.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Arizona Wildcats announce return of two key players
Continue reading...
