Leadership is the Next Level of Vaughn’s Development
Apr 06, 2022 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Less than four months have passed since Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman opined that Consensus All-American Deuce Vaughn was "the best player in college football" following his running back's impressive performance in a 42-20 win over LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.
This spring, Vaughn isn't missing a step.
"When I talk to other coaches across the country, they all say, 'That is the guy. He's a dude,'" K-State running backs coach Brian Anderson said. "The sky is the limit for that kid."
The 5-foot-6, 176-pound Vaughn is regarded as the nation's best returning running back. Pro Football Focus in its analysis of running backs for the 2022 season called Vaughn "the most valuable running back in the country" according to PFF analytics, also citing that Vaughn's 59 total plays that resulted in 10-plus yards ranked as the most among Power Five running backs in 2021.
Vaughn, a native of Round Rock, Texas, rushed for 146 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns in the bowl game, giving the sophomore 1,404 rushing yards for the season, which ranked ninth in the FBS. His 144.0 all-purpose yards per game ranked sixth and his 22 total touchdowns ranked fourth. Vaughn finished in the top 10 in several other national statistical categories in 2021 and enters the fall ranked third in Big 12 Conference history with 6.8 scrimmage yards (rushing and receiving yards) — a remarkable feat that trails only Oklahoma's Kennedy Brooks (7.0) and Texas' Vince Young (6.9).
Although Vaughn has been unable to speak publicly during spring practice due to a class schedule conflict, he'd likely share some similar thoughts to what he said after the bowl game.
"Humbling," Vaughn said, "but a lot more work to do."
Such an approach comes as no surprise to his coaches, who see him on the practice field each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
"Talk about hard working," K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein said. "He's a hard-working sucker, now. He would take every rep if we let him because he wants to compete and he wants to be on the field with those guys. We try to protect him and be smart, but obviously he's a competitor and is out there and plays hard. We point it out every day as coaches that he's one of the best finishers on the team."
Anderson said that he dissected all 235 of Vaughn's carries and 49 receptions in 2021. Vaughn was one of just three players in the FBS to reach 1,000 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards. Anderson said that he told Vaughn, "Let's look at film from a year ago and how we can make a 5-yard run into a 10-yard run and let's look at all your catches. Let's try to get your football IQ to another level in what you're seeing and understanding in the blocking game even more."
"He already has a very good football IQ," Anderson continued. "Now it's just taking it to another level."
When it comes to taking things to another level, Anderson and offensive line coach Conor Riley both point to one common element that doesn't necessarily show up on a stat sheet.
"Leadership," Anderson said. "He continually grows in his leadership. That's something he wants to get better at, and he strives to get better in that area. I tell him all the time, 'You're the voice of this football program and you have the right to tell guys to work harder and pick it up.' That's one thing that's always in the back of his mind is continuing to develop his leadership skills."
Riley agrees.
"I was joking with him the other day and said, 'If one of those guys doesn't finish out there, I'm not going to rip them, I'm going to rip you,'" Riley said. "He said, 'Yes, sir.' He knows the truth of it. It's about having the guy next to him live up to the standard that he holds himself to."
Vaughn is in the center of K-State football season ticket promotions and is now featured on football trading cards. There will likely be more Name, Imagine and Likeness opportunities to come heading toward the fall of his junior season.
There is no concern with how Vaughn, a likely preseason Heisman Trophy candidate, is handling his success.
"He's a well-rounded and mature young man," Riley said. "All you have to do is watch the kid practice to see how he's handling it. His play hasn't changed and it won't change, and that's a testament to his upbringing, who he is and his folks, and the people impactful in his life."
Less than four months have passed since Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman opined that Consensus All-American Deuce Vaughn was "the best player in college football" following his running back's impressive performance in a 42-20 win over LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.
This spring, Vaughn isn't missing a step.
"When I talk to other coaches across the country, they all say, 'That is the guy. He's a dude,'" K-State running backs coach Brian Anderson said. "The sky is the limit for that kid."
The 5-foot-6, 176-pound Vaughn is regarded as the nation's best returning running back. Pro Football Focus in its analysis of running backs for the 2022 season called Vaughn "the most valuable running back in the country" according to PFF analytics, also citing that Vaughn's 59 total plays that resulted in 10-plus yards ranked as the most among Power Five running backs in 2021.
Vaughn, a native of Round Rock, Texas, rushed for 146 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns in the bowl game, giving the sophomore 1,404 rushing yards for the season, which ranked ninth in the FBS. His 144.0 all-purpose yards per game ranked sixth and his 22 total touchdowns ranked fourth. Vaughn finished in the top 10 in several other national statistical categories in 2021 and enters the fall ranked third in Big 12 Conference history with 6.8 scrimmage yards (rushing and receiving yards) — a remarkable feat that trails only Oklahoma's Kennedy Brooks (7.0) and Texas' Vince Young (6.9).
Although Vaughn has been unable to speak publicly during spring practice due to a class schedule conflict, he'd likely share some similar thoughts to what he said after the bowl game.
"Humbling," Vaughn said, "but a lot more work to do."
Such an approach comes as no surprise to his coaches, who see him on the practice field each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
"Talk about hard working," K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein said. "He's a hard-working sucker, now. He would take every rep if we let him because he wants to compete and he wants to be on the field with those guys. We try to protect him and be smart, but obviously he's a competitor and is out there and plays hard. We point it out every day as coaches that he's one of the best finishers on the team."
Anderson said that he dissected all 235 of Vaughn's carries and 49 receptions in 2021. Vaughn was one of just three players in the FBS to reach 1,000 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards. Anderson said that he told Vaughn, "Let's look at film from a year ago and how we can make a 5-yard run into a 10-yard run and let's look at all your catches. Let's try to get your football IQ to another level in what you're seeing and understanding in the blocking game even more."
"He already has a very good football IQ," Anderson continued. "Now it's just taking it to another level."
When it comes to taking things to another level, Anderson and offensive line coach Conor Riley both point to one common element that doesn't necessarily show up on a stat sheet.
"Leadership," Anderson said. "He continually grows in his leadership. That's something he wants to get better at, and he strives to get better in that area. I tell him all the time, 'You're the voice of this football program and you have the right to tell guys to work harder and pick it up.' That's one thing that's always in the back of his mind is continuing to develop his leadership skills."
Riley agrees.
"I was joking with him the other day and said, 'If one of those guys doesn't finish out there, I'm not going to rip them, I'm going to rip you,'" Riley said. "He said, 'Yes, sir.' He knows the truth of it. It's about having the guy next to him live up to the standard that he holds himself to."
Vaughn is in the center of K-State football season ticket promotions and is now featured on football trading cards. There will likely be more Name, Imagine and Likeness opportunities to come heading toward the fall of his junior season.
There is no concern with how Vaughn, a likely preseason Heisman Trophy candidate, is handling his success.
"He's a well-rounded and mature young man," Riley said. "All you have to do is watch the kid practice to see how he's handling it. His play hasn't changed and it won't change, and that's a testament to his upbringing, who he is and his folks, and the people impactful in his life."
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