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2017 NFL Draft: Top 10 Running Backs after Bowl Season

By Tyler Brooke

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Kareem Are (72) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Kareem Are (72) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) carries the ball past Houston Cougars defensive end Jerard Carter (52) during the 25th Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) carries the ball past Houston Cougars defensive end Jerard Carter (52) during the 25th Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

When you’ve had the college career that San Diego State’s Donnel Pumphrey has had, NFL teams are going to come calling. The Aztecs senior was able to break the FBS record for career rushing yards his team’s win over Houston in the Las Vegas Bowl, racking up 6,405 rushing yards over his career.

Had Pumphrey played at a bigger program, he might have been a legitimate Heisman Trophy finalist. He finished his 2016 campaign with 2,133 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per rushing attempt.

Pumphrey is even smaller than McNichols, coming in at just 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds. However, unlike McNichols, Pumphrey has elite speed and burst to break away at any moment. He’s shifty and elusive in the open field, making him a tough guy to get a hand on.

The problem with Pumphrey is that when a defender does get a hand on him, he’s probably not breaking the tackle. His small frame will have some scouts worried about his durability against much more talented competition.

For a team that’s looking for a dynamic playmaker, however, Pumphrey could be a guy with plenty of upside. A strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine could boost his draft stock in a big way, especially if he can run the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds.

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