A name not known to casual college footb..."/> A name not known to casual college footb..."/>
Fansided

2017 NFL Draft: Running backs are everywhere

By George Stockburger

Dec 5, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) celebrate after the Aztecs beat the Air Force Falcons 27-24 to win the Mountain West Conference at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) celebrate after the Aztecs beat the Air Force Falcons 27-24 to win the Mountain West Conference at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Dec 5, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) celebrate after the Aztecs beat the Air Force Falcons 27-24 to win the Mountain West Conference at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) celebrate after the Aztecs beat the Air Force Falcons 27-24 to win the Mountain West Conference at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State: Stock Up

A name not known to casual college football fans is Donnel Pumphrey. The San Diego State running back has quietly put up an outstanding season, and is a darkhorse to be a Heisman finalist.

Pumphrey currently leads all of college football with 599 rushing yards, and is second among running backs with seven rushing touchdowns.

In back to back games Pumphrey has rushed for three touchdowns and over 200 yards. Last week against Illinois State he rushed for 220 yards after a 281-yard performance the week prior.

In a running back draft class littered with names such as Nick Chubb, Leonard Fournette, James Connor, and Dalvin Cook, Pumphrey will slip through the cracks.

The argument that Pumphrey played against a lack of competition is overrated and thankfully diminishing. Carson Wentz has proved you don’t need to come out of Alabama to succeed in the NFL. It doesn’t matter what color or logo is on the helmet, it’s what’s inside the helmet that counts.

Pumphrey first caught my eye last season as I was scouting in preparation the Penn State/San Diego State game. He’s small and shifty, almost reminding me of LeSean McCoy. He cuts well and will weave his way through the tackles. He’ll find the hole with ease and burst like lightning once he sees daylight.

Home/NFL