Published Aug 30, 2022
Fact or Fiction: Vaughn starts Heisman campaign with multiple scores
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Derek Young  •  EMAWOnline
Recruiting Analyst
Twitter
@dyoungrivals

Will Deuce Vaughn begin his Heisman campaign in 2022 with multiple scores in the season opener versus South Dakota?

ARGUMENT FOR FICTION

Why wouldn't Deuce Vaughn grab multiple touchdowns in the season opener versus South Dakota? That's a hard one. But then again, he only found the end zone just once last year against Stanford.

Another detail that could work against it is the true dual-threat capabilities of Adrian Martinez. The Wildcats are even more dynamic than they were with Skylar Thompson a season ago. Martinez led Nebraska on the ground each of the last two seasons.

The receivers have another year of seasoning, and though they haven't shown a true explosive playmaking gene thus far in their careers, there is a ton of experience carved out between the likes of Malik Knowles, Phillip Brooks and Kade Warner.

ARGUMENT FOR FACT

Why not? Vaughn the best skill position player for Kansas State. He has been the best player on the entire roster for nearly two full two years. He is surrounded by more talent than he ever has, and that could make him that much more dangerous.

Collin Klein will rattle off more plays per game, and more snaps could also lead to more scoring chances for Vaughn. A lot of the conversation in the offseason was about finding more creative and new ways for him to have the ball in space.

The running game should be more lethal because Martinez poses even more of a threat on the ground than Thompson did, thus giving the defense more to think about and not being able to fully commit to Vaughn on the read-option looks.

While he only scored once against David Shaw and the Cardinal last season, he was still dangerous and Saturday's game comes against an FCS team that should not come close to fielding the same amount of talent on that side of the ball.

Additionally, he is not joined by Joe Ervin or Jacardia Wright any longer. Deuce's sidekicks are a work in progress. The number two back to begin the year will be DJ Giddens and he has yet to take a meaningful snap in a game for the Wildcats.

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FINAL ANSWER: FACT

Start up the Heisman Trophy campaign. I'm a voter, and he should be squarely on the radar already. Deuce Vaughn is a bonafide Heisman Trophy candidate, and he'll begin the year with at least two touchdowns over the Coyotes.