Biography
Donnel Pumphrey, born on December 6, 1994, is a former professional American football running back. He gained prominence during his collegiate career at San Diego State University, where he set the NCAA Division I FBS record for career rushing yards with 6,405 yards, surpassing the previous record held by Ron Dayne. Pumphrey's impressive performance earned him numerous accolades, including being named a consensus All-American in 2016.
Pumphrey was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, becoming the first player from San Diego State to be drafted in that year's event. Despite facing challenges settling into the NFL due to injuries, he contributed to the Eagles’ roster during their successful Super Bowl LII campaign. Pumphrey spent time on both the Eagles' active roster and practice squad throughout his tenure.
After parting ways with the Eagles, Pumphrey signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, but was ultimately released before making a regular-season appearance. While his professional career was marked by ups and downs, his legacy in college football, particularly for his record-setting rushing yardage, has solidified his place in the history of the sport as a significant player from San Diego State.