Heisman Watch 2016: Week 12 players to watch

By John Buhler | Nov 17, 2016

Nov 3, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) catches pass in the end zone while covered by Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Mike Johnson (3) at Jack Trice Stadium. Oklahoma beat Iowa State 34 to 24. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 12, 2016; Reno, NV, USA; San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs for a first down in the first quarter of their NCAA football game with the Nevada Wolf Pack at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

Should he keep up his running prowess in the Mountain West Conference, San Diego State Aztecs star senior running back Donnel Pumphrey should be getting an invitation to the 2016 Heisman Trophy presentation in New York City.

Pumphrey is the best player San Diego State has had since Marshall Faulk tore it up in the early 1990s. The Aztecs’ star running back has a chance to be the all-time leading rusher in Division I history at season’s end.

While Pumphrey is a good distance from Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne for No. 1 all-time (1,074 yards away), he almost certainly will finish No. 2 all-time when he graduates from San Diego State. Pumphrey is only 475 yards away from tying Pittsburgh’s Tony Dorsett.

On the year, Pumphrey has carried the rock 270 times for 1,779 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. He has rushed for over 100 yards in nine straight games and over 98 yards in all 10 Aztec games this season. Pumphrey is a future College Football Hall of Famer and belongs at the 2016 Heisman Trophy presentation.

San Diego State takes on the Wyoming Cowboys at War Memorial Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 19. CBS Sports will have the game.

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