Two more Wildcats are turning some heads as preseason award watch lists start to roll out. Defensive back Genesis Smith has been named to the Wuerrfel Trophy Preseason Watch List, while running back Ismail Mahdi has been named to the Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List.
The Wuerffel Trophy is widely regarded as the nation’s premier community service award. It’s awarded to the “FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.” During 2024, Smith, an Arizona native, started a non-profit organization, the “Genesis Smith Foundation.” Last winter, Smith utilized his foundation to organize “Christmas Cats”, a drive that collected and distributed gifts for local families in the Tucson and Southern Arizona community.
If awarded, Smith would become the first Wildcat in program history to receive the honor since its inception in 2005.
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. The award is named after Paul Hornung, the only player to win the Heisman Trophy after a losing season.
This marks back-to-back seasons Mahdi has been selected to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List. In September 2023, Mahdi was also recognized as the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week. He totaled 316 all-purpose yards and scored four total touchdowns in the Bobcats’ 50-36 win at Southern Miss. Mahdi would be the first Wildcat recipient of the Paul Hornung Award since it’s inception in 2010.
With Genesis Smith and Ismail Mahdi named to the Wuerffel Trophy and Paul Hornung Award Watch Lists, respectively, they join Noah Fifita, who was named to the Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List, as Wildcats with preseason honors.