Arizona’s depth at two key positions is back to where it was entering training camp after a court ruling went against a pair of veteran Wildcats.
A Pima County judge ruled late Friday that running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris were no longer eligible to play. Justin Spears of the Arizona Daily Star was first to report the news.
Judge Randi Burnett, who had issued a temporary restraining order last month that enabled Mahdi and Harris, as well as punter Sullivan Moon, to play this season,
on Friday Burnett denied a formal order that would have prohibited the NCAA from blocking their eligibility under the new ‘5 for 5’ rule.
Mahdi played in the last two games for the Wildcats, rushing for a team-high 63 yards on 10 carries in last week’s 34-24 win at Washington State. Harris started that game and appeared in two others this season. Both were full-time starters in 2025, with Mahdi leading the team in rushing and Harris among the top tacklers.
Under the NCAA’s new eligibility rule, all student-athletes are given five years of eligibility (without redshirts) following their high school graduation year or when they turn 19, whichever comes first. The change did not apply to players who graduated high school in 2022 and had used four years of eligibility prior to this year, the NCAA determining they fell under the old rule.
The Pima County ruling also applies to two other UA student-athletes: baseball pitcher Garrett Hicks and men’s golfer Connor Hamm.
Another Wildcat, men’s basketball player RJ Godfrey, is also seeking a fifth year but is currently ineligible after previously been given eligibility via a TRO by a Georgia judge. The NCAA appealed that ruling and was issued a stay.
