Former Cedar Ridge running back Deuce Vaughn chosen by Dallas Cowboys.
On Saturday, Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
The 5-foot-6, 175-pound Wildcat is small by pro football standards, but his explosiveness in the backfield made him a fan favorite. And that also goes back to his days in Central Texas. He was the 212th overall player taken in the draft. He should be a backup for Tony Pollard.
If the Cowboys needed a blueprint to describe Vaughn, all it would need is vintage film of Darren Sproles during his his heyday at Kansas State. Vaughn is 5-5, Sproles 5-7. Both possess the ability to stretch the field with remarkable speed and quickness and an ability to elude much bigger players.
Vaughn was a terror at Cedar Ridge High in the Round Rock school district. Wearing the same jersey No. 22 he wore at Cedar Ridge, he took K-State and the Big 12 by storm the past three seasons. He earned freshman All-America honors and was named Big 12 offensive freshman of the year with 642 rushing yards and 434 receiving yards.
Vaughn was even better his next years. He ranked ninth in the FBS with 1,404 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. He ranked eighth in the FBS as a junior by rushing for 1,558 honors and nine touchdowns. He ranked No. 1 in the FBS with 1,936 all-purpose yards.
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NFL scouts have lauded Vaughn for his excellent footwork and breakaway speed in the open field. He was the shortest player at the NFL combine. Scouts have also boasted about Vaughn's vision, finding open holes, and his ability to plant his feet and change directions.
It remains to be seen whether his size will diminish his effectiveness as an NFL back. Will he be able work within the tackles or will he be limited to misdirection plays and short passes? At his size, he will have to improve his blocking skills when he is not a primary target.
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If he indeed resembles Sproles, he will be considered a draft bargain. After all, Sproles played 15 seasons in the NFL for the Chargers, Saints and Eagles. He finished his career in 2015 after a career that included three trips to the Pro Bowl. Sproles was a career triple threat with 3,552 rushing yards, 4,840 receiving yards, 11,313 return yards and total of 63 touchdowns.
Vaughn's father, Chris Vaughn, is the assistant director of college scouting with the Cowboys.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: NFL draft is big time for small (in size only) running back
