The Cowboys’ training camp has not been short of viral moments.
With the team now readying for the 2023 NFL season at their Oxnard, Calif., facility, footage from practices has been spilling out on social media, including videos of rookie running back Deuce Vaughn, who stands at 5-foot-5.
Vaughn, the shortest player measured at the NFL Combine since that information began tracking in 2003, according to CBS, was seen practicing drills with his teammates, who appeared to tower over him.
The 21-year-old Vaughn was selected in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft at No. 212 overall, with one regional scout for the AFC noting in a pre-draft report, “He’s tough and he’s fun to watch but that’s an impossible sell in our building because of the size. I think he makes it in the league, though.”
Vaughn’s selection could potentially be a steal for Dallas as the former Kansas State product has real explosiveness and “bend and cut at crisp angles,” according to NFL.com.
He is already being compared to Darren Sproles, who was a fiery 5-foot-6 running back for the Eagles and Saints.
Last season with the Wildcats, Vaughn had 1,558 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, along with 42 catches for 378 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
The All-American’s introduction to the pros was extra meaningful this past April.
Vaughn’s father, Chris Vaughn, is the assistant director of college scouting for Dallas and got to call his son with the life-altering news after the Cowboys confirmed their selection.
“But look here man, you want to come to work with me next week?” Chris said on the phone with tears in his eyes.
“I wouldn’t mind that at all,” Vaughn responded.
In a video posted by the Cowboys, Chris is seen hugging team owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
The proud father reportedly removed himself from the deliberations of whether or not to draft his son.
“You earned every ounce of me being able to make this call,” Jones said to Vaughn on the phone.
“I’m so excited, there’s just something magical about this moment that may be bigger than we even realize here, talking to you on the phone.”
