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Ranking the 10 best small school college football RBs of all time

By Zach Bigalke

Oct 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs for a second quarter touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs for a second quarter touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs for a second quarter touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs for a second quarter touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

The youngest player on this list is Donnel Pumphrey, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Pumphrey broke the FBS career rushing record over his four years at San Diego State. He was a pivotal player for Aztecs teams that won two straight Mountain West titles in 2015 and 2016.

As a freshman in 2013, Pumphrey spelled veteran back Adam Muema and piled up 752 rushing yards and nearly 1,000 yards from scrimmage to go with 10 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he took over the lead duties in the backfield and excelled immediately. Pumphrey finished fourth nationally among running backs with 1867 yards on the ground in 2014. San Diego State won 10 straight in 2015 and took the Mountain West championship as Pumphrey finished with 20 touchdowns and over 2000 yards from scrimmage.

Related Story: Donnel Pumphrey breaks FBS career rushing record in Las Vegas Bowl

Pumphrey’s senior season amounted to a coronation of sorts, as he chased SDSU legend Marshall Faulk’s running back records and the NCAA marks. San Diego State successfully defended its position as Mountain West champ as their star back finished with an NCAA-leading 2,133 rushing yards and 2,364 yards from scrimmage. We shall now see if he can put up a similar pro career to his fellow Aztec alumnus on this list.

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