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

Bill Bender

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

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."

IYER: Updated NFL power rankings as preseason begins

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.

MORE: Why Micah Parsons is changing positions ahead of 2023 season

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. 

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. 

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: Jerry Jones leaves door open for Ezekiel Elliott reunion

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.

Bill Bender

Bill Bender Photo

Bill Bender graduated from Ohio University in 2002 and started at The Sporting News as a fantasy football writer in 2007. He has covered the College Football Playoff, NBA Finals and World Series for SN. Bender enjoys story-telling, awesomely-bad 80s movies and coaching youth sports.