Arizona’s Max Harris and Ismail Mahdi cleared to play at No. 15 BYU

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi and linebacker Max Harris are cleared to play and have been added to the roster for Saturday’s showdown at No. 15 BYU.

Harris, Mahdi and kicker Sullivan Moon were granted a temporary restraining order by a Pima County Superior Court judge as they joined a host of football players who have challenged the NCAA’s new eligibility rules.

“The Arizona football program announced Friday that linebacker Max Harris, running back Ismail Mahdi and kicker Sullivan Moon have been cleared for competition,” the school said in a statement. “Harris and Mahdi will travel with the team to Saturday’s game against BYU.”

Harris and Mahdi rejoined the team last month following a court ruling granting Class of 2022 athletes an extra year of eligibility. The ruling allowed Division I athletes to have five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first.

The new eligibility rule was set to take effect for athletes enrolling in college for fall 2027 but led to lawsuits from athletes in the 2022 class seeking the fifth year.

Harris and Mahdi did not play in Arizona’s opener against Northern Arizona last week, but should give the Wildcats a huge boost against BYU.

Mahdi was Arizona’s leading rusher last season, with 853 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.

Harris was an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection last season after finishing with 78 tackles, including 3 1/2 for loss.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football