Mahe played college football for Brigham Young University (BYU), and was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

[1] One of eight children, Mahe moved with his family numerous times before settling in at Brighton High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mahe put service as a missionary on hold after high school in order to concentrate on football.

The BYU honor code stipulates that students must "be honest, live a chaste and virtuous life…use clean language" and abstain from alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee and drugs.

He led the Western States Football League (WSFL) in receiving and scoring (122 total points) and was named to the All-WSFL First-team.

Under first-year coach Gary Crowton, BYU had the highest scoring offense in the nation that year, and Mahe was a big part of the team's success.

Later in the season, when BYU's star running back, Luke Staley, suffered a season-ending injury against Mississippi State, Mahe stepped up with a season-high 189 receiving yards (and 2 touchdowns) and the Cougars escaped with a 41–38 victory.

In the following game against, the University of Hawaii, Mahe set another season high with 14 receptions for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns.

He was still good enough to earn All-MWC First-team honors again, and he finished his college career as one of the best receivers in BYU history.

Although he was not drafted into the NFL, Mahe joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie free agent and made the team's 2003 opening day roster.

During his offseason workouts in Philadelphia during the summer, Mahe took on a part-time job at Chickie's and Pete's restaurant.