Las Vegan Donnel Pumphrey goes to Eagles in 4th round of NFL draft

Donnel Pumphrey often got served the compliment sandwich during the NFL draft process.

Explosive but small.

Pumphrey did all he could do to turn the doubters into believers during his stellar college career at San Diego State. But breaking the all-time FBS rushing record wasn’t enough. Most NFL scouts still only saw “5 feet 8 inches, 169 pounds.”

The Las Vegan only needed one team to believe. It was the Philadelphia Eagles, the host of this weekend’s NFL draft.

Pumphrey was selected by the Eagles in the fourth round Saturday during Day 3.

“I’m ready to learn their chant that they’ve been singing through all the draft,” said Pumphrey, who was celebrating with family and friends in San Diego. “It’s truly a blessing. I’m so happy to be an Eagle. I’m lost for words.”

The Canyon Springs High graduate was often compared to Darren Sproles, who also had draft experts and scouts doubting him because of his size. Twelve years later, Sproles is still making defenders miss and now will be teammates with Pumphrey.

“I’m just ready to learn from the best third-down back in the game, Darren Sproles,” Pumphrey said. “I’m so happy to learn from him.”

The 5-foot-6-inch Sproles was taken in the fourth round, 130th overall, by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 draft. Pumphrey went 132nd overall.

Pumphrey broke Ron Dayne’s rushing record with 115 yards during the Las Vegas Bowl in December. Pumphrey finished his collegiate career with 6,405 rushing yards.

The Las Vegan was the 14th running back selected in this year’s draft.

“All those running backs that went, they earned it, and they had a resume just like I did, and I’m happy to be an Eagle,” Pumphrey said. “I just want to show the Eagles fan base we’re going to be at the top.”

UNLV players

Former Rebels Torry McTyer and Jeremiah Valoaga reportedly have signed rookie free-agent deals with the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, respectively.

Linebacker Tau Lotulelei, who led UNLV in tackles last season, reportedly was invited to the Indianapolis Colts’ rookie minicamp.

No Rebels were drafted.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow @gmanzano24 on Twitter.