HOUSTON – Jordon Vaughn is one of the biggest breakaway threats in the running back draft class, capable of dashing away from pursuit for touchdowns.
And the Abilene Christian running back doubles as one of the tallest and heaviest backs in the draft.
Recommended Videos
At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, the Manvel graduate represents the prototypical imposing big back who runs with speed and a downhill style.
Now, Vaughn waits to find out where he’s going to play in the NFL.
“All of my interactions, they’ve been great,” Vaughn told KPRC 2 in a telephone interview. “Heard nothing but positive feedback. It’s been thrilling to talk to different teams, and I’m not taking it for granted. I’m just grateful and blessed to be in a position where I can talk to different scouts who show interest. So, it’s just an all-around great experience.”
At the College Gridiron Showcase, Vaughn met with the Dalals Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. At his Pro Day at Rice University, Vaughn met with the Las Vegas Raiders at a workout attended by several teams, including the hometown Texans, Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.
“I’m really proud of all my work,” said Vaughn, who is represented by veteran NFL agent Fred Lyles. “I feel like I prepare myself to perform at a high level. I ran well and caught the ball well, finishing the routes. Everything that I showed on tape, the scouts saw.”
Vaughn rushed for 671 yards and eight touchdowns. He gained 100 yards on 10 carries against Stephen F. Austin, rushed for 98 yards on 15 runs against Lamar and 124 yards on nine carries against Southern Utah. He had a 75-yard touchdown run against North Alabama.
“Against Southern Utah, you can really see the speed and my vision,” Vaughn said. “In my two playoff games against Lamar and Stephen F. Austin, really just highlighting everything I can do. I can catch the ball, I can pass protect at a high level. When I get going, I’m hard to stop. One thing about me, when the lights are shining the brightest, I’m the one that’s always gonna answer the call. So, I feel like those games really highlight my ability.”
At Manvel, he led the team to a district championship.
Vaughn is big enough and fast enough to play wide receiver, tight end, fullback or H-back, but has specialized at tailback.
“A lot teams, or at least the ones interested in me, like me as running back,” Vaughn said. “Just throughout playing football in my whole life, growing, I played probably every position except for a quarterback and corner. So, you know, my parents instilled in me be versatile.”
“When I first got to school, they wanted to convert me to linebacker. So I went through a whole fall camp as a linebacker, Star position, speed rush off the edge, but also come back and play linebacker in the run game. Then, I was back at running back.”
Vaughn was a two-time all-academic selection. He studied finance.
He is pursuing his master’s degree in business now.
“I Have that to fall back on,” Vaughn said. “With my finance background, you can get into a whole bunch of things like analysis, banking, pricing, bonds, whole business corporation world.
“Right now, it’s all football. I feel like I’ve barely even scratched the surface of the player that I can become. So, a lot of excitement.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com