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 – 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," Vaughn said via Cowboys.com on May 15. "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."
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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.
Deuce Vaughn-Darren Sproles: Who is taller?
Vaughn's 2023 NFL Combine measurements were 5-5 and 179 pounds. He is listed at 5-6 and 176 pounds on the 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 4.46 at Kansas State's Pro Day. 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:
Deuce Vaughn-Darren Sproles: Kansas State careers
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:
| PLAYER | RUSH | REC. | KICK | PUNT | TOTAL |
| Darren Sproles | 4,979 | 609 | 378 | 846 | 6,812 |
| Deuce Vaughn | 3,604 | 1,280 | 145 | 0 | 5,029 |
The difference is Sproles was much more active in the return game – a trend that continued when he reached the NFL.
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Darren Sproles' NFL career
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 pass catcher.
He emerged as a start with the Saints in Sean Payton's offense from 2011-13.
In 2011, Sproles set 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.
.@DarrenSproles was lightning in a bottle ⚡️
— NFL (@NFL) June 20, 2023
Happy 40th birthday to the legend! (via @NFLLegacy) pic.twitter.com/gmhe7xpeh8
Sproles spent his final six seasons in Philadelphia. He missed Super Bowl LII after suffering a torn ACL that season.
Deuce Vaughn and Cowboys RB depth chart
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 pic.twitter.com/TSVxEcAWU3
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) August 3, 2023
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.
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Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy also has been impressed with Vaughn's pass blocking in training camp.
"We all smile when he does pass protect because, you talk about the instincts, awareness and most importantly the footwork to get yourself in position, he has that," McCarthy said via Fox 4 KDFW. "I've been very impressed."
Deuce Vaughn be the next Darren Sproles?
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 leaders
| 1 | Jerry Rice (1985-2004) | 23,546 |
| 2 | Brian Mitchell (1990-2003) | 23,330 |
| 3 | Walter Payton (1975-87) | 21,803 |
| 4 | Emmitt Smith (1990-2004) | 21,564 |
| 5 | Frank Gore (2005-20) | 19,992 |
| 6 | Darren Sproles (2005-19) | 19,696 |
That is a lofty ceiling for Vaughn to climb, but he will be given every opportunity to succeed in Dallas. Remember the emotional moment when Sproles was drafted? His father Chris is the Cowboys' assistant director of college scouting.
Vaughn could emerge as a fan favorite – and a fantasy football favorite, much like Sproles did.
