Arizona will get two key returners back in time for Saturday's matchup against BYU due to the latest installment in an ongoing legal battle.
Ismail Mahdi and Max Harris, two players who are among the many across the country suing the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility, have been officially added to the Wildcats’ roster in time for the conference opener against the Cougars, as first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Both players have been practicing with the team and made the trip to Provo.
Sources: Arizona is formally adding two key starters from last year to the roster, 2025 leading rusher Ismail Mahdi and third-leading tackler Max Harris. Both have been cleared for competition and will travel with Arizona to face No. 15 BYU. pic.twitter.com/IkzrtNsrs2
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 11, 2026
Mahdi and Harris, as well as transfer kicker Sullivan Moon, are plaintiffs in a case against the NCAA filed in Arizona state court in Pima County. Earlier this week, the court granted the three players a temporary restraining order, giving them eligibility for this season.
This particular lawsuit is one of a number of cases filed by athletes seeking to gain a fifth year of eligibility in light of the NCAA’s new “five-in-five” policy.
The policy, which allows student-athletes five years of eligibility in a five year span after high school, was approved by the NCAA on June 24. Former student-athletes, such as Mahdi and Harris (as well as BYU basketball transfer center Jaxon Kohler) are seeking for that policy to be retroactively applied.
The NCAA has repeatedly fought against student-athletes pursuing a fifth year of eligibility. In an Aug. 21 statement made following a ruling in a federal court in the NCAA’s favor, NCAA officials stated, “The Association will separately continue to defend other similar putative class action lawsuits and the state court cases that have been filed by former student-athletes seeking additional eligibility and expeditiously appeal any cases where former student-athletes have, or will, be granted additional eligibility through separate state court rulings.”
Mahdi was the Wildcats’ leading rusher in 2025 with 859 yards and four touchdowns on 134 carries. He added 119 yards receiving and a touchdown on 17 receptions. Harris had 78 tackles and started 12 games for Arizona in 2025. The Wildcats opened the season with a 35-7 win over FCS opponent Northern Arizona.
A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21, where the NCAA will have the chance to argue that the temporary court order should be reversed. No date for a trial has been set.
BYU hosts Arizona in its second game of the season and conference opener. The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised on FOX and broadcast on BYU Radio.