| Texas State Bobcats – No. 21 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Class | Sophomore |
| Major | Exercise and Sports Science |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | May 28, 2003 Kenya |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| Bowl games | |
| High school | Plano East (Plano, Texas) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Ismail Mahdi (born May 28, 2003) is a Kenyan American football running back for the Texas State Bobcats. Mahdi began his college career with Houston Christian before transferring to Texas State in 2023.
Early life and high school career
Mahdi was born on May 28, 2003, in a refugee camp in Kenya.[1] In late 2003, Mahdi and his family would migrate to the United States, residing in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.[2] Mahdi attended Plano East Senior High School in Plano, Texas. As a junior, he totaled 1,607 yards and 15 touchdowns.[3] As a senior, Mahdi rushed for 1,362 yards and 14 touchdowns, before his season was ended due to a knee injury.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6][7] In the first game of the season against Baylor, Mahdi tallied 83 yards rushing and two total touchdowns, in a 42–31 upset win.[8] Against Nevada, he rushed for a career-high 216 yards and two touchdowns.[9] 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 Mississippi.[10] As a result of his performance, he was named the Hornung Award National Player of the Week.[11][12]
| Season | Games | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD | |||
| Houston Christian Huskies | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 8 | 104 | 459 | 4.4 | 1 | 30 | 250 | 8.3 | 2 | ||
| Texas State Bobcats | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 13 | 223 | 1,331 | 6.0 | 10 | 20 | 275 | 13.8 | 1 | ||
| Career | 21 | 327 | 1,790 | 5.5 | 11 | 50 | 525 | 10.5 | 3 | ||
References
- ↑ "Ismail Mahdi: From Refugee Camp to College Football Star". BVM Sports. 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ ""Who is that guy?" Mahdi is Introducing Himself to the College Football World". Texas State Athletics. 2023-09-06. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ Kretzschmar, Rick (2021-09-22). "Angles have been key for Plano East RB Ismail Mahdi, 6A's rushing leader". Dallas News. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ "Plano East loses star running back Ismail Mahdi, quarterback Drew DeVillier to injuries". Dallas News. 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ "FB: Mahdi Named Jerry Rice Award Finalist". Houston Christian University Athletics. 2022-11-21. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ "Texas State's Ismail Mahdi leads FBS in all-purpose yardage, Bobcats off to best start since '05". KXAN Austin. 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ Michalowski, George (2023-10-02). "GJ Kinne Won the Lottery with Addition of Elite RB Ismail Mahdi". The Portal Report. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ Ciardello, Keff. "Texas State's Ismail Mahdi scores Bobcats' first two touchdowns of the season in first win". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ "Mahdi rushes for 216 yards to help Texas State rally past Nevada 35–24". AP News. 2023-09-24. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ "Ismail Mahdi scores four times and Texas State holds off Southern Miss in 50–36 shootout". AP News. 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ "Louisville Sports Commission – Louisville Knows Sports » WEEK 5: Players from Four Different Conferences Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll". Retrieved 2023-11-05.
- ↑ Ciardello, Keff (October 3, 2023). "Texas State seeks 5–1 start behind Ismail Mahdi's strong start to the season". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2023-11-05.