In a significant development for college athletics, Arizona Wildcats’ running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris have made their return to the team. This follows a recent court decision offering an extended eligibility period to athletes from the Class of 2022.
Arizona’s athletic department confirmed on Monday that the two players have started participating in the team’s preseason preparations. This move is a direct result of U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney’s ruling in Colorado, which granted an additional year of eligibility to those who began their college careers in the 2022-23 season and have completed four seasons.
However, Judge Sweeney specified that this ruling does not extend to football players who have signed professional contracts during the summer. The decision comes on the heels of the NCAA’s approval of the five-for-five rule in June. This new rule permits Division I athletes to compete across five seasons within a five-year timeframe starting from their full-time enrollment or the academic year after their 19th birthday, depending on which occurs first.
The rule was initially slated for implementation with the fall 2027 college intake. Nonetheless, it sparked lawsuits from 2022 class athletes striving for an additional year. The NCAA has announced plans to appeal the recent ruling.
Ismail Mahdi’s return is particularly impactful for Arizona, as he was the team’s top rusher last season, achieving 853 yards and scoring four touchdowns. Additionally, Mahdi contributed 17 receptions totaling 119 yards and an extra touchdown.
Max Harris, another key player, was acknowledged as an All-Big 12 honorable mention following a robust performance last season. He recorded 78 tackles, with 3.5 for losses.
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