Donnel Pumphrey is an undersized Philadelphia Eagles running back who challenged his size to become an all-time leader in rushing yards (6,405) in NCAA FBS history. The former Canyon Springs High School standout was a three-star high school freshman and was selected in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Eagles.
Donnel Pumphrey’s Bio
The Eagles running back was born Donnel LarayPumphrey Jr. on December 6, 1994 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. He was fascinated by football from an early age, at 3 years old. He threw the ball sideways with his older brother and played for the first time when he was 5 years old. Along with his brother, he envisioned an NFL career that could eventually become a reality. He prepared for Canyon Springs High School, where he also excelled in track and field as a runner-up in the 100 and 200 meters as a junior.
As a junior, Donnel rushed for 1,666 yards and 22 touchdowns to lead the team to its first Northeast Division title. He had 1,491 yards on 160 carries with 19 touchdowns in his senior year and was named Gatorade High School Football Player for Nevada. He ended his career at this level with 4,152 yards on 494 attempts and 49 touchdowns.
After an impressive career, he was rated a three-star recruit and signed to San Diego State University, the first school to offer him a college career. With the Aztecs, he became the official all-time leader in rushing yards (6,405) in NCAA FBS Division I history.
He had 752 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while also getting 234 passing yards and two touchdowns as a true rookie despite only starting one of 13 games played. However, he stepped up a notch in his second season starting with all 13 games. He had 1,876 yards with 20 touchdowns and had 2,018 yards the following season.
In the 2016 Las Vegas Bowl, Donnel set an all-time record with the NCAA Division I FBS in a speed yard. The validity of the record, however, has been questioned by some, as career statistics were not included in pool matches until 2002. If this is taken into account, he would rank fourth behind Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams and Tony Dorset. And it would be a good place too, you will agree.
Besides the running phenom, he also led the nation in rushing yards (4,272), rushing touchdowns (45), and all-purpose yards (5,145). His all-around yards ranked fifth (7,515), then eighth in total losses (67) and ninth in total (62). He was also a nominee for the Heisman and All-America Awards, as well as a Doak Walker Award finalist, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Player of Year semi-finalist.
In addition, he won the All-America Trophy in 2015 and became the first running back to be voted Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons (2014-15).
Professional career
Donnel Pumphrey played in the 2017 Senior Bowl recording four carries for 23 rushing yards, two receptions for 15 receiving yards and four punts for a total of 44 yards. Pumphrey who played for the South team helping them to a 16-15 win over the North with his 82 total yards ranked second on the team. Coming out of the 2017 preliminary process, he’s expected to be picked in the fourth or fifth round on multiple platforms and also rank 14th among the top takedown prospects in the draft.
The Philadelphia Eagles who were intrigued by his potential and versatility as a halfback/receiver hybrid during off-season organized team activities, traded him to pick him in the fourth round, 132nd overall . A month after the draft, he signed a four-year contract worth $2.97 million, including a $575,888 signing bonus with the team.
During training camp where he played a He was named the fourth running back at the start of the regular season behind LeGarrette Blount, Darren Sproles and Corey Clement. During the preseason, Pumphrey recorded 26 carries for 49 yards and 13 receptions for 72 yards. However, he failed to score. Additionally, he had to stay on the sidelines as the Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 to win Super Bowl LII, although the victory earned him his first Superbowl ring.
Family – Parents
The Eagles running back was born to DonnelPumphrey Sr. and Regina Padua, a 4-foot-11 Filipina who grew up in San Diego. He is the middle child alongside an older brother, Tyree Erskin and a younger brother.
In his senior year of high school, DonnelPumphrey became a father. His daughter, Maliya, was born on November 2, 2012. From that day forward, everything the speedster has done in football, he has done for Maliya, who he says is his inspiration.
Height, weight, measurements
At 5-foot-9, his height almost became an obstacle in his path to his NFL dreams, but he knew what he wanted. Others thought his size would be a disadvantage for the running back and worried about him, but clearly that wasn’t the case. He weighs 176 pounds, the lightest in the NFL’s pre-draft process.
He was considered really small for a running back, which resulted in a lack of college offers near the end of his high school career. Her size left a chip on her shoulder, but despite that, he played big with her as much as possible. Finally, he overcame the apparent obstacle. Pumphrey didn’t just go to college, he also ended his career on a high pedestal, excelling at the highest level of college football.
His other body measurements include an arm length of 29″ and a hand of 8 1/2″.