Texas State Bobcats star Ismail Mahdi entered the transfer portal as one of the top available running backs. Mahdi transferred up from the FCS level before his sophomore year, then had two productive seasons at the Group of Five level, and should have high Power Four interest.
Which teams could be interested? Here are five potential transfer portal landing spots for Mahdi.
Where Could Ismail Mahdi Transfer?
While Mahdi is one of the top backs in the transfer portal, his interest is likely to be different from some of the other top running backs. Several others, including Fluff Bothwell and Ahmad Hardy, have multiple years of eligibility remaining to Mahdi’s one.
However, Mahdi is one of the few top portal backs who is an elite pass catcher. He has over 800 career receiving yards on 78 catches, something that should excite teams that want to use their backs as receivers.
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Mahdi has the production, as he led the country in all-purpose yards as a sophomore in 2023. Now, he’s available on the open market and likely to garner interest from some of the sport’s heavy hitters.
Here are a few potential landing spots for Mahdi.
Ole Miss Rebels
The Ole Miss Rebels are one of the most active teams in the transfer portal each year, and they’ll likely take a handful of prospects once again.
Ole Miss fans weren’t overly thrilled with the state of the team’s RB room late in the season. Mahdi is a proven back who could come in and provide the stability as a runner and pass catcher that the team needs. He’s been a workhorse, but he wouldn’t have to be with the Rebels, plus the chance to prove himself as an SEC-caliber back without having to add too much wear and tear could be enticing.
South Carolina Gamecocks
I’m less inclined to believe the South Carolina Gamecocks would take a fourth-year back than a younger guy with multiple years of remaining eligibility, but the Gamecocks are checking in on the portal’s top backs.
South Carolina turned Raheim Sanders into a receiving back last year but would likely want a natural pass catcher to pair with pure runners Oscar Adaway III and Jawarn Howell.
Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns aren’t typically very active in the transfer portal, but I get the sense they’d like to grab a running back after several of their highly rated backs underperformed in 2024.
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Mahdi has played his entire career in the Lonestar State, and if the Longhorns call, it will be hard to turn them down. Again, this is an SEC school that wouldn’t run Mahdi into the ground, which would boost his draft stock.
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Arkansas Razorbacks are Mahdi’s only confirmed visit so far. It’s early, but I like the fit in Fayetteville. It’s a unique offense, similar to the one he played in at Texas State.
Should that visit go well, I’m not sure Mahdi will drag out his recruitment. He’s been a quiet, unobtrusive presence in San Marcos, and if he likes what he sees with the Razorbacks, there’s a strong chance he shuts down his recruitment and commits on the spot.
TCU Horned Frogs
The TCU Horned Frogs are in a unique position this offseason. They have their quarterback and consistency on the offensive staff but struggled in 2024. They’ll look to add in the portal, likely swinging big.
In a wide-open Big 12, one or two high-level additions could differ between 4-8 and 8-4. Mahdi would bring balance to a pass-happy offense and help the Horned Frogs better control the clock and play with a lead.
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