Donnel Pumphrey is kind of a big deal.
People know him - mostly as an unbelievable running back who can make defenses look silly.
He might become even more famous in the next few weeks.
The San Diego State senior is one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award which recognizes the best NCAA running back every year. Dalvin Cook of Florida State and D’Onta Foreman of Texas join Pumphrey as the finalists.
You may wonder if the dreaded “East Coast Bias” may hurt Pumphrey’s chances to win the Doak Walker – or perhaps the Heisman Trophy – before the end of the calendar year.
But the fact that there is no Pac-12 contender for either of these awards could give Pumphrey a regional boost.
There is also no SEC running back among these three finalists which seems odd because usually an Alabama runner under Nick Saban’s watch is racing into the spotlight. Wyoming’s upset of SDSU may hurt the exposure that the Aztecs receive from the national media in the next couple of weeks but Pumphrey’s illustrious career at Montezuma Mesa speaks for itself.
Pumphrey may stand only 5’9” but his achievements on the football field keep piling up towards the ceiling.
He currently ranks second in the nation in rushing yards this season (1,855) and in all-purpose yards (2,058).
Even after the Cowboys held Pumphrey to a season-low 76 rushing yards Saturday, he still moved past Pittsburgh legend Tony Dorsett as the new No. 3 career rusher in NCAA history.
This of course after passing SDSU legend Marshall Faulk earlier this season for the program’s all-time rushing record – among other offensive marks.
In addition to the Doak Walker Award, the senior is also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (top college player) and Walter Camp Player-of-the-Year Award.
And lest we forget, San Diego State University is campaigning for the star tailback to win the Heisman Trophy by using #Pumphrey4Heisman.
A few weeks ago on Sportscenter, ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt told a national TV audience he believed Pumphrey belongs in New York as a finalist for the Heisman.
“You’re telling me that there’s - let’s say - five people better in the country than this guy? No. Let’s get the man to New York.”
The Heisman will be awarded on December 12th in the Big Apple.
The Doak Walker Award winner will be announced on Thursday, December 8 in Atlanta.
Don’t be surprised if Pumphrey winds up toting some heavy hardware back to America’s Finest City.
In fact there’s a chance he wins all four of the awards mentioned in this article. I'm not even mad - that would be amazing.
