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.
| 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 | |
| |
Early life
editMahdi's father was Somalian and his mother was Kenyan.[1] They fled Somalia due to the Somalian 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
editHouston Christian
editAs 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
editFollowing 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]
| 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 | 7 | 122 | 646 | 5.3 | 2 | 13 | 102 | 7.8 | 0 | ||
| Career | 28 | 449 | 2,436 | 5.4 | 13 | 63 | 627 | 10.0 | 3 | ||
References
edit- ^ 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.