FRISCO, Texas — For Deuce Vaughn, the arduous half begins now.
As a lot as his choice within the sixth spherical by the Dallas Cowboys grew to become a feel-good viral second when his father, Chris, the group’s assistant director of school scouting, made the cellphone name to inform his son he can be the group’s decide, the story grows even better if Vaughn can come near replicating what he did at Kansas State.
The Cowboys will maintain their rookie mini-camp this weekend, giving their draft picks and faculty free brokers their first take a look at how issues function, however with out a lot — if any, relying on the climate — precise on-field work. It will likely be the third time first-round defensive sort out Mazi Smith shall be at The Star, having visited the franchise earlier than the draft and holding a information convention the day after he was chosen No. 26 general.
For Vaughn, the 5-foot-5, 179-pound operating again, roaming the halls of The Star will even not be new. He has been to his new workplace a number of occasions along with his dad. Now he could have a locker and a uniform — No. 42, since his favourite quantity, No. 22, is off limits as a result of it belonged to the NFL’s all-time main rusher, Emmitt Smith.
In 2023, the Cowboys determine to change the operating again method they’ve had for the higher a part of a decade — once they had DeMarco Murray, Darren McFadden and Ezekiel Elliott dealing with the majority of the carries — to a extra numerous rotation.
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Tony Pollard had 1,007 yards final 12 months with a career-high 193 carries. In addition they have Ronald Jones, who was signed as a free agent from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. He had a career-high 192 carries in 2020 whereas with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ending with 978 yards. With Malik Davis and Rico Dowdle additionally on the roster, it is going to be on Vaughn to indicate he can deal with something and every thing the Cowboys ask.
“I believe clearly Deuce can play within the regular circulation of our offense on first and second down,” coach Mike McCarthy mentioned. “I believe, stating the apparent, so far as the [pass] safety part, we’ve set to work collectively there, however there are some very distinct situational ideas and ideas that I take into consideration already. [Versatile former Packers receiver] Randall Cobb-ish kind issues I’ve completed previously. Yeah, we’ll positively have alternatives for him to reap the benefits of his productiveness. He’s a dynamic participant.”
At 5-5, he was the shortest participant on report (since 2003) on the NFL scouting mix, however his manufacturing at Ok-State matched a few of the greatest Energy 5 operating backs, based on ESPN Stats & Data. Since 2015, Vaughn is one in every of seven operating backs to submit at the least 1,400 yards speeding and 400 yards receiving, becoming a member of Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Prepare dinner, Saquon Barkley, Travis Etienne Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Najee Harris.
Vaughn had 29 video games with 100 scrimmage yards or extra, third most in Massive 12 historical past. Solely Ricky Williams (25), Cedric Benson (25), Darren Sproles (24) and Adrian Peterson (22) had extra 100-yard speeding video games within the Massive 12 than Vaughn.
“I wish to say that with my evaluator cap on, he could make performs a pair other ways. He’s demonstrated that,” Chris Vaughn mentioned. “You don’t need to play him essentially otherwise as a result of he’s a smaller man. His greatest runs have been inside, downhill runs, versus at all times utilizing him in house or at all times utilizing him exterior. I’m not attempting to be the coach right here once I say that however what I’m saying is he’s going to come back give every thing he’s received.
“He’s going to put on the coaches out so far as, ‘You wish to meet? You wish to watch? You wish to discuss?’ He loves every thing in regards to the course of … [He’s] an individual that’s looking forward to the chance to indicate precisely what he can do with the doubters across the league. Not on this constructing, as a result of we took him, however the different 31 groups. That shall be a pure chip on his shoulder in wanting to indicate and show he can do at this degree, identical to he did on the faculty degree.”
The heartwarming cellphone name between father and son 📲🏈
Witness Cowboys scout Chris Vaughn draft his son Deuce 💙
(through @dallascowboys) pic.twitter.com/HZwHVmXTmn
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 30, 2023
McCaffrey, 5-11, 205 kilos and now with the San Francisco 49ers, was the primary participant Vaughn talked about when requested if there was a participant he modeled his recreation after.
“Simply due to his versatility,” Deuce mentioned. “The best way that he was in a position to run in between tight areas, run the ball inside and outdoors. They break up him out large. Even popping out of highschool, watching him and the way in which he was so versatile and simply did every thing. A real all-purpose again. He’s somebody that I’ve at all times regarded as much as and watched movie on simply due to the way in which he’s been used.”
However the operating again talked about most frequently in terms of Vaughn is Sproles, who predated Vaughn at Ok-State earlier than a 15-year NFL profession with the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles.
At 5-6, 190 kilos, Sproles was a three-time Professional Bowler. He ran for 3,552 yards, had 4,840 receiving yards and scored 64 touchdowns: 23 speeding, 32 receiving, 7 punt returns, 2 kick returns.
Vaughn is second to Sproles in speeding yards (3,604) and all-purpose yards (5,029) in Ok-State historical past. The 2 have constructed a powerful relationship that started in Vaughn’s sophomore 12 months of school. When the Cowboys picked Vaughn, Sproles was one of many first to textual content him.
“He mentioned he was happy with me. He mentioned to maintain the quick backs alive. I instructed him I’d make him proud,” Deuce mentioned. “He mentioned that the work begins now and that every thing’s out in entrance of me. I’ve simply received to go work arduous for it.”
