Mahdi, Harris rejoin Arizona football following court ruling granting extra year of eligibility

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris have returned to the team following a court ruling that extended the Class of 2022 athletes' eligibility by one year.

The two players began integrating into the team's preseason activities on Monday. This decision came after a U.S. District Judge in Colorado granted extra eligibility to athletes who started their college careers in the 2022-23 season and completed four seasons.

The judge later specified that this extra year does not apply to football players who signed professional contracts over the summer. This ruling follows the NCAA's approval of the "five-for-five rule" in June, which allows Division I athletes to compete for five seasons within a five-year period, starting with their full-time enrollment or the academic year after their 19th birthday.

The new eligibility rule was set to take effect for athletes enrolling in college for the fall of 2027. However, this led to lawsuits from athletes in the 2022 class who sought the fifth year of eligibility. The NCAA has stated it will appeal the ruling.

Mahdi was Arizona's leading rusher last season, accumulating 853 yards and scoring four touchdowns. He also contributed with 17 receiving yards, including 119 yards and a touchdown on passes. Harris was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention last season after tallying 78 tackles, including 3.5 for loss.