The first thing most college football fans notice about Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn it's not his blazing speed, or his insane jump-cut ability. No, the first thing most fans notice is Deuce Vaughn's height.
Standing in the backfield almost a foot shorter than his quarterback Will Howard, the K-State rusher hasn't let his height slow him down for one second. From his high school days at Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock Texas, to racking up rushing yards and touchdowns in Manhattan, Kansas, and maybe into the NFL, Deuce Vaughn hasn't let his height slow him down.
For Deuce Vaughn, Height Doesn't Measure Heart
Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Entering the 2022 season on the watchlist for the Doak Walker Award as one of the NCAA's best rushers, Chris "Deuce" Vaughn II has been a force for the Sugar Bowl participant and Big 12 champion Kansas State. Compiling his second 1,000-yard rushing yard season, Vaughn was a big reason as to why head coach Chris Klieman's Wildcats were able to climb the rankings. That's to be expected of Vaughn, however, whose father is a scout for the Dallas Cowboys. Vaughn doesn't need social media hyping him up as a "short king" he has all of the FBS doing that.
And while his receiving yards and receptions may leave a lot to be desired in his NFL draft profile, Vaughn wouldn't be the only football player under 5-foot-7, but he's still the shortest NFL draft prospect. With players like Darren Sproles (who went to Kansas State), Jacquizz Rodgers and Maurice Jones-Drew, blazing a trail for other vertically-challenged American football players in the NFL, Vaughn has a blueprint for success, even if it's just on kickoffs.
And while a Sugar Bowl appearance against Alabama and appearing in ESPN highlights is a great way to cap a season, Deuce Vaughn has been all over the field in big spots for K-State. Against Oklahoma, TCU, Missouri, Texas Tech, Vaughn came up big, even if Longhorns rusher Bijan Robinson got the better of him in their matchup.
All the while, it's impossible not to be impressed with the Arkansas-born rusher. You don't have to be a football coach to understand that the All-American star isn't just using his size to break tackles.
Deuce Vaughn stands tall at 5-foot-6, but his legend grows larger every day.
