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Heisman Trophy 2016: Who got snubbed?

By Cody Williams

Dec 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy sits on a pedestal before the pre-announcement press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy sits on a pedestal before the pre-announcement press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who got snubbed from being invited to New York as a 2016 Heisman Trophy finalist?

The 2016 Heisman Trophy race has been odd this season, largely because the favorite separated himself by such a wide margin early in the season. That favorite was, of course, Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson. However, the race tightened as Action Jackson and his team trailed off a bit near the end of the season. And on Monday night, the five finalists were announced on ESPN.

Jackson was among the finalists and was joined by Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield, Michigan Wolverines defensive fix-all Jabrill Peppers, Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson, and Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook. That bunch will be headed to New York on Saturday, Dec. 10 for the Heisman Trophy Presentation. Jackson will still most likely hear his name called, but five finalists and invites really shows how close the race has become.

Even with five finalists heading to New York, though, there were still plenty of players that did enough to earn a trip to New York. Through the air, on the ground, and even on the defensive side of the ball, there were players throughout the country who put forth Heisman-caliber seasons, but were ultimately snubbed from being a finalist.

Here’s a look at six players that deserved a Heisman Trophy finalist nod and got snubbed.

Note: All stats are per ESPN.com.

Nov 12, 2016; Reno, NV, USA; San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) stiff arms Nevada Wolf Pack corner back Elijah Mitchell (28) as he runs for a first down in the first quarter of their NCAA football game at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Reno, NV, USA; San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) stiff arms Nevada Wolf Pack corner back Elijah Mitchell (28) as he runs for a first down in the first quarter of their NCAA football game at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

Donnell Pumphrey, RB — San Diego State

I get it; there’s a good chance that the San Diego State Aztecs are never going to produce a Heisman Trophy winner. That said, they may have had their best candidate ever to do so this season in senior running back Donnell Pumphrey. And as the Aztecs star and leader forged the way to a 10-3 season and a Mountain West Championship for San Diego State, he did everything you could ask to deserve a nod as a finalist.

En route to his team’s fantastic 2016 season, Pumphrey was absolutely electric. The senior carried the ball 330 times on the season and rushed for 2,018 yards with those touches. What’s more, he also found the end zone 16 times on the ground in addition to also catching 26 passes for 205 more all-purpose yards to his credit.

Pumphrey’s consistency was also a plus in his campaign as he averaged over four yards per carry in all but one game this season while also rushing for 110 yards or more in 10 of the Aztec’s 13 games. What’s more, the fact that he eclipsed 200 yards rushing in four games (and reached 198 yards in another) is simply absurd, but speaks to his talent and the season he had.

You can talk about level of competition and everything else in that regard, but Pumphrey dominated the teams put in front of him and did so for a successful non-Power 5 team. The school he played for likely is the reason he won’t be in New York alongside Jackson, Watson, and Mayfield, but he 100 percent deserved to be the fourth player in attendance.

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