American football running back (born 2003)
Ismail Mahdi Position Running back Class Sophomore Major Exercise and Sports Science Born: (2003-05-28 ) May 28, 2003 (age 21) Kenya Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Weight 180 lb (82 kg) College
Bowl games
High school Plano East (Plano, Texas )
Ismail Mahdi (born May 28, 2003) is a Kenyan college 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
Mahdi's father was Somali and his mother was Kenyan.[ 1] They fled Somalia due to the Somali civil war , and Mahdi was born in a refugee camp in Kenya on May 28, 2003.[ 2] [ 1]
In late 2003, Mahdi and his family migrated to the United States, residing in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex .[ 3] Mahdi attended Plano East Senior High School in Plano, Texas . As a junior, he totaled 1,607 yards and 15 touchdowns.[ 4] As a senior, Mahdi rushed for 1,362 yards and 14 touchdowns, before his season was ended due to a knee injury.[ 5] 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 .[ 6] 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.[ 7] [ 8] In the first game of the season against Baylor , Mahdi tallied 83 yards rushing and two total touchdowns, in a 42–31 upset win.[ 9] Against Nevada, he rushed for a career-high 216 yards and two touchdowns.[ 10] 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 .[ 11] As a result of his performance, he was named the Hornung Award National Player of the Week.[ 12] [ 13]
College statistics
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
2024
9
145
773
5.3
3
17
125
7.4
0
Career
30
472
2,563
5.4
14
67
650
9.7
3
References
^ a b Kutz, Chris. " "Who is that guy?" Mahdi is Introducing Himself to the College Football World" . txst.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024 .
^ "Ismail Mahdi: From Refugee Camp to College Football Star" . BVM Sports . October 6, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ " "Who is that guy?" Mahdi is Introducing Himself to the College Football World" . Texas State Athletics . September 6, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ Kretzschmar, Rick (September 22, 2021). "Angles have been key for Plano East RB Ismail Mahdi, 6A's rushing leader" . Dallas News . Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ "Plano East loses star running back Ismail Mahdi, quarterback Drew DeVillier to injuries" . Dallas News . October 26, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ "FB: Mahdi Named Jerry Rice Award Finalist" . Houston Christian University Athletics . November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ "Texas State's Ismail Mahdi leads FBS in all-purpose yardage, Bobcats off to best start since '05" . KXAN Austin . October 2, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ Michalowski, George (October 2, 2023). "GJ Kinne Won the Lottery with Addition of Elite RB Ismail Mahdi" . The Portal Report . Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ Ciardello, Keff. "Texas State's Ismail Mahdi scores Bobcats' first two touchdowns of the season in first win" . Austin American-Statesman . Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ "Mahdi rushes for 216 yards to help Texas State rally past Nevada 35–24" . AP News . September 24, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ "Ismail Mahdi scores four times and Texas State holds off Southern Miss in 50–36 shootout" . AP News . October 1, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ "Louisville Sports Commission – Louisville Knows Sports » WEEK 5: Players from Four Different Conferences Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll" . Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
^ Ciardello, Keff (October 3, 2023). "Texas State seeks 5–1 start behind Ismail Mahdi's strong start to the season" . Austin American-Statesman . Retrieved November 5, 2023 .
External links