Meet 'Cowboys Artist Deuce Vaughn': EXCLUSIVE
FRISCO - To the delight of Dallas Cowboys fans, the team is drawing up opportunities for "unique" running back Deuce Vaughn.
"Deuuuuuuce," roars the crowd when the 5-foot-6, 176-pound rookie running back bounces off tackles and makes defenders miss. However, there is more than meets the eye with the sixth-round NFL Draft selection out of Kansas State.
His artistry isn't contained to the field. Deuce likes to draw in his spare time, a hobby he picked up from his dad and sister. He pencils football players. His favorite drawing?
"Darren McFadden," Vaughn tells CowboysSI.com in an exclusive interview, speaking of the former Cowboy who ranked fourth in the league with 1,089 rushing yards in 2015.
Deuce's NFL Draft story is one of the most-talked about and feel-good moments of this offseason. His father, Chris Vaughn, joined the Cowboys in 2017 as the team's southeast area scout.
The Vaughn family had a rare opportunity this spring, when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones asked Chris to make the call to inform his own son he's been drafted by the team his dad works for.
“Look here, man, do you want to come to work with me next week?” an emotional Chris asked during the call.
Some predicted the happy moment to be just that, a cool storyline of the NFL Draft ... But Deuce's ability and agility have transformed a feel-good story into a rock-solid roster spot and important role in the Cowboys' backfield behind starter Tony Pollard.
Vaughn is the shortest player in the NFL and a tough player to get on the ground. In his two preseason games, he rushed for 64 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns and a 4.9 rushing average that ranks fourth among running backs.
Vaughn displayed that he belongs in the mix with Rico Dowdle as the top contender to back up Pollard. He's made the most of opportunities in preseason games and training camp but, possibly more importantly, is utilizing his chance to learn from Pollard, who he considers to be a "big brother".
What has Vaughn learned from Pollard?
"How to be a pro," Vaughn said after Cowboys practice at the Ford Center. "How to go about your business every single day. He's been great. Whether that means talking to him about a run, a protection or in the film room."
Specifically, Pollard advises Vaughn to believe in his own instincts and to hit it hard.
"It creates a lot of confidence when your No. 1 back talks to you like that," Vaughn said of Pollard.
Vaughn has been eye-catching throughout his football career with accolades galore in college and high school. At Kansas State, his five career games with 70 yards rushing and 70 yards receiving are the most in Big 12 history. He finished his college career ranked first among active Big 12 players in all-purpose yards (5,029).
Before that, as a senior, Vaughn broke Cedar Ridge's single-season rushing record with 1,938 yards, while having 589 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns.
Cowboys owner Jones also praises Vaughn, which doesn't hurt one’s confidence.
"He's got a very unique problem for tacklers," Jones said. "It's unique. It's effective and we've all seen it up to this point on how it can be effective at this level. We should incorporate him in everything that we can do to win."
There is a certain artistry to what Deuce does on the field … and as it turns out, off the field as well.
