Ali played in six games during his true freshman season in 2020 where he logged 22 rushing yards on five carries along with 76 kick return yards.[4] During the 2021 season, he became one of the nation's premier running backs and finished with 1,401 yards and 23 touchdowns on 250 carries.[5] By the end of the season, he was named on the Maxwell Football Club's Freshman of the Year Watch List,[6] the Team MVP, an All-Conference USA First Team selection[7] and a FWAA Freshman All-American.[8] During the 2022 season, he sat out for most of the season due to an injury leading to a medical redshirt.[9][10] He came back for the last three games and finished the season with 273 rushing yards and a touchdown.[11] He was named the MVP of the 2022 Myrtle Beach Bowl where he completed 92 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.[12] By the end of the season, he was named on the Doak Walker Award Watch List[13] and the Maxwell Award Watch List.[14] During the 2022 offseason, Ali ran for the Thundering Herd track team.[15]
During the 2023 season, Ali ran for 180 yards and two touchdowns during the Week 4 game against Virginia Tech to take the win against them.[16] Because of his performance, he was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week.[17]
Ali was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round (165th overall) in the 2024 NFL draft.[20] He was placed on injured reserve on September 5.[21]