Arizona is getting a significant boost just in time for its Big 12 opener against BYU.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Wildcats are officially adding running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris to their roster ahead of Saturday’s matchup against No. 15 BYU in Provo. Both players have been cleared to compete and are expected to travel with the team.
And these aren’t insignificant additions for Arizona.
Mahdi was the Wildcats’ leading rusher during the 2025 season, while Harris finished third on the team in tackles. Both had previously exhausted their college eligibility but were among a group of players who recently received a temporary restraining order against the NCAA in Pima County Superior Court.
The ruling comes amid ongoing challenges involving the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility model and players from the 2022 high school recruiting class.
Arizona is also adding kicker and punter Sullivan Moon to the roster following the ruling, according to Thamel, although Moon is not expected to travel to Provo this weekend.
The timing couldn’t be much better for the Wildcats.
Arizona opened the 2026 season with a 35-7 win over Northern Arizona, but Saturday represents a much different challenge. The Wildcats travel to face No. 15 BYU in the first Big 12 conference game of the season, and adding two experienced starters gives Arizona some much-needed depth on both sides of the football.
Mahdi’s return provides another weapon to an offense led by veteran quarterback Noah Fifita, while Harris gives the Wildcats an experienced piece on defense.
Now the question becomes how quickly Arizona can work both players back into the rotation with one of its biggest games of the season less than 24 hours away. Arizona vs. BYU kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT in Provo.
