Arizona’s roster depth took a hit Friday when a Pima County judge ruled that running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris are no longer eligible to play.
The decision, reported first by Justin Spears of the Arizona Daily Star, leaves the Wildcats back where they started training camp at those two spots after Judge Randi Burnett denied a formal order that would have blocked the NCAA from enforcing its new “5 for 5” rule against the pair.
Burnett had previously issued a temporary restraining order last month that allowed Mahdi, Harris and punter Sullivan Moon to suit up this season. On Friday, that protection went away.
Mahdi had appeared in Arizona’s last two games and led the Wildcats with 63 rushing yards on 10 carries in last week’s 34-24 win at Washington State. Harris started that game and has played in two others this season. Both were full-time starters in 2025, with Mahdi pacing the team in rushing and Harris ranking among the top tacklers.
The NCAA’s new eligibility rule gives student-athletes five years of eligibility, without redshirts, starting from their high school graduation year or when they turn 19, whichever comes first. The change does not apply to players who graduated high school in 2022 and had already used four years of eligibility before this season, with the NCAA saying those players fall under the old rule.
The Pima County ruling also affects two other Arizona student-athletes: baseball pitcher Garrett Hicks and men’s golfer Connor Hamm.
Another Wildcat, men’s basketball player RJ Godfrey, is also trying to secure a fifth year. He is currently ineligible after a Georgia judge had granted him eligibility through a TRO, but the NCAA appealed and received a stay.
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