Heisman Trophy 2016: 5 Under-the-Radar Candidates after Week 7

1. Donnel Pumphrey (RB/San Diego State)

Donnel Pumphrey, the nation’s leader with 207 all-purpose yards per game, is beginning to show up on some people’s Heisman radars. Pumphrey is averaging more than 185 yards per game just on the ground. Yet the senior back from San Diego State, who earlier this year broke Marshall Faulk’s all-time school rushing records, remains under the radar for most of the country and to most voters. His candidacy is inextricably tied to whether or not San Diego State can rebound from a loss to South Alabama and repeat as Mountain West champs.

Pumphrey is tied with fellow MWC back Jeremy McNichols for second in rushing touchdowns with 11, while he is on pace to have the fifth-best season in terms of rushing yards that anyone has ever put up at the FBS level. He has compiled over 200 rushing yards in three of his six games this season, and while he is not much of a threat in the passing game Pumphrey has nevertheless managed to outgain every other player in the country. If San Diego State manages to win its conference, Pumphrey might very well make it to the Heisman ceremony.