Deuce Vaughn the next Darren Sproles Kansas State backs share similar heights stats and more

Underestimate Deuce Vaughn at your own peril.The Dallas Cowboys open the preseason at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday against Jacksonville, and that will be the first chance to see Vaughn a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in action.Vaughn a 5-foot-6, 175-pound running back is already drawing the comparison to another compact NFL running back from Kansas State. Darren Sproles Anthony Rizzo Jersey who was 5-5 enjoyed a 15-year career with the Chargers, Saints and Eagles."I got to meet Darren my sophomore year at Kansas State, and he's been someone that's been in my corner ever since," . "Any time I can be in the same sentence as a guy like Darren Sproles, a guy that played 15 years in this league, top five in all-purpose yards in this league at my size, that's something I take seriously every single day."IYER: The dimensions and college comparisons are similar. Will Vaughn be able to carve out a niche career in the NFL, too? Here is a closer look.Vaughn's 2023 NFL Combine measurements were 5-5 and 179 pounds. He is on the John Lackey Jersey Cowboys' roster. Sproles was listed at 5-foot-6 and 187 pounds at the 2005 NFL Combine. He was listed at 5-6, 190 pounds for most of his playing career. So Sproles is virtually the same height and 10-15 pounds heavier than Vaughn.How did those perform in the other drills at their respective combines?Vaughn did not run an official 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Instead, he ran a . Sproles ran a 4.49 in the 40 at the 2005 NFL Combine. So, the running backs are close on that, as well.Both had outstanding careers during their time at Kansas State, too:Sproles helped Kansas State win the Big 12 championship in 2003. He rushed for 1,986 yards and 16 TDs, was a first-team All-American and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.Vaughn helped Kansas State win the Big 12 championship last season. He rushed for 1,558 yards and nine TDs. Vaughn is a two-time consensus All-American, but he did not finish in the top 10 in the Heisman voting.Sproles is Kansas State's all-time leading rusher with 4,979 yards. Vaughn is second with 3,604 yards. Here is how their all-purpose totals with the Wildcats look:PLAYERRUSHREC.KICKPUNTTOTALDarren Sproles4,9796093788466,812Deuce Vaughn3,6041,28014505,029The difference is Sproles was much more active in the return game a trend that continued when he reached the NFL.MORE: Sproles was a highlight-in-waiting throughout his NFL career. He broke in with the Chargers as a kick returner. He gradually carved out a larger role in the offense as a pa s catcher.He emerged as a start with the Saints in Sean Payton's offense from 2011-13.In 2011, Sproles set Greg Maddux Jersey the NFL single-season record with 2,696 all-purpose yards. He had career highs with 603 rushing yards and 710 receiving yards. He also had 294 punt return yards and 1,089 kickoff return yards.. was lightning in a bottle Happy 40th birthday to the legend! (via ) NFL (@NFL) Sproles spent his final six seasons in Philadelphia. He mi sed Super Bowl LII after suffering a torn ACL Kris Bryant Jersey that season.Vaughn has had a few viral moments in training camp, and he's battling to be the Cowboys' No. 2 running back behind Tony Pollard.Look at how quick our smol RB Deuce Vaughn is Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) It could happen, too. Ezekiel Elliott is a free agent, and Ronald Jones has been suspended two games for violating the league's PED policy. Vaughn and Malik Davis a second-year running back from Florida will see most of the carries on Saturday.MORE: Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy also has been impre sed with Vaughn's pa s blocking in training camp."We all smile when he does pa s protect because, you talk about the instincts, awarene s and most importantly the footwork to get yourself in position, he has that," . "I've been very impre sed."The comparisons are apt, but Sproles was able to do it for 15 years in the NFL. He ranks sixth all time in career all-purpose yards, and when you see the list of names ahead of him it presents a borderline Pro Football Hall of Fame case for the all-purpose player.NFL all-time all-purpose yards leaders1Jerry Rice ( Javier Baez Jersey 1985-2004)23,5462Brian Mitchell (1990-2003)23,3303Walter Payton (1975-87)21,8034Emmitt Smith (1990-2004)21,5645Frank Gore (2005-20)19,9926Darren Sproles (2005-19)19,696That is a lofty ceiling for Vaughn to climb, but he will be given every opportunity to succeed in Dallas. Remember the ? His father Chris is the Cowboys' a sistant director of college scouting.Vaughn could emerge as a fan favorite and a fantasy football favorite, much like Sproles did.
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