Is Coaching 'Familiarity' Key To Unlocking Cowboys' Deuce Vaughn?
Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn is entering perhaps his most significant NFL offseason of his career.
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Having only played 17 games and totaled 134 rushing yards in two seasons, it's gut-check time for Deuce to prove he's worthy of staying on the roster.
But maybe the football gods have smiled down on the running back when his former Kansas State coach, Conor Riley, was named offensive line coach this offseason.
Is Riley's familiarity with Deuce and his game, which saw Vaughn rush for 3,604 yards and 36 touchdowns in three seasons in college, the key to him finally making a statement this offseason?
'For myself,'' Vaughn said, "I've been taking it day by day, but also understanding that his run scheme, the things that him and Coach [Klayton] Adams want to do as far as running the football this upcoming year, not necessarily new, nuances are just a little bit different.
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"The terminology, being able to hear from somebody that you've heard it for now for three, four years, is really big. Just having that relationship that I can go and ask him questions about anything, just up front, and you know how big that is for a running back and a running game.
"So it's really big that familiarity.'
by Mike Fisher
With Vaughn far down the pecking order in the running back room as Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, and even rookie Jaydon Blue ahead of him in the depth chart, it could be tough sledding for Deuce.
But maybe Riley's influence and familiarity with Vaughn can be the thread the Cowboys can pull to finally let Deuce loose in 2025.
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Granted, he needs to get the carries to do it, and with two veterans in front of him, plus Blue, who is a speed merchant, that might be a tall order.
However, with Riley, maybe Deuce now has a fighting chance of showing he is deserving of a place on Brian Schottenheimer's offense.
Related: Cowboys' Micah Parsons Announces Major Three-Word Statement
Related: Cowboys' Schottenheimer Won't Shy Away From Super Bowl Prediction
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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