Dallas Cowboys QB Dustin Vaughan’s “Highlight” Video Funny, Talent Serious
By Jeric Griffin
@JericGriffin
Well, the video above should leave you chuckling for a while…and wondering about Dustin Vaughan’s actual talent as a quarterback in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys obviously feel the same way as they signed the West Texas A&M product as an undrafted free agent following the 2014 NFL Draft. So besides a funny guy, what are the Cowboys getting in Vaughan?
A very athletic, all-around player, Vaughan played basketball, baseball and punted in addition to quarterbacking the West Texas A&M football team to the national quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II football playoffs. He absolutely set the woods on fire in Canyon, Texas as a senior, completing 66 percent of his passes for 5,401 yards, 53 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. His yardage total led every college quarterback in all divisions which makes you really intrigued, right?
Well, you should be, but cautiously. Vaughan looks like a pro quarterback at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, especially with all those gaudy numbers and a 38-1 record as a starter in college. However, he has very small hands for an NFL passer and the offense in which he played at West Texas A&M doesn’t exactly translate smoothly to the next level.
Like a lot of college offenses these days, West Texas A&M runs a spread offense that features a ton of quick-read passes. Vaughan never really had to drop back and read defenses while throwing for all those yards, but his athleticism, speed and arm strength make him more than worth a look in training camp.
Just so everyone is on the same page, let’s make it clear the Cowboys are set on Brandon Weeden being the primary backup quarterback this year (assuming Kyle Orton is indeed done) and a developmental project as a potential starter down the road. Free agent Caleb Hanie, undrafted rookie Kolton Browning and Vaughan are all there as competition and long-shot tryouts, plain and simple.
However, there’s something about Vaughan (besides this video) that makes him seem like more than just a camp body. There’s only one way to find out.
Jeric Griffin is the General Manager for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JericGriffin, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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