Entering his first season with Arizona, running back Ismhail Mahdi was named to the Paul Hornung Watch List. Mahdi played his previous two seasons at Texas State, where he was an All-American as an all-purpose player in 2023. Mahdi was also on the 2024 Hornung Watch list.
The Paul Hornung Award honors the best all-around player in college football. In two seasons at Texas State, Mahdi ran for 2,322 yards and 14 touchdowns and 44 receptions for 470 yards and another three scores.
As a true freshman In his only season playing for Football Championship Subdivision Houston Christian in 2022, Mahdi ran for 568 yards and two TDs and had 32 receptions for 333 yards and another three scores.