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Watch: Cowboys 5-foot-5 rookie RB flies past defense during training camp
Deuce Vaughn Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Cowboys 5-foot-5 rookie RB flies past defense during training camp

Cowboys rookie Deuce Vaughn might be the latest pocket-sized running back who packs an enormous offensive punch.

This week, a video of the 5-foot-5, 176-pound RB bursting through the line of scrimmage into the open field at Dallas' training camp went viral. 

Vaughn was an excellent player in three seasons at Kansas State. He amassed 4,884 yards, scored 43 TDs and earned first-team All-American honors twice. But several teams overlooked him since he is the shortest player in combine history, via NFL research. 

Nonetheless, the sixth-round draft pick (No. 212 overall) knows how to turn his perceived weakness into a strength. 

"For myself, especially whenever you're running inside, [it's about] being able to hide in the trees in a sense," Vaughn said Thursday on "The Doomsday Podcast." "If you can't see the linebackers, they can't see you. You can kind of feel where they're going. I've been able to use that throughout my time in college whenever it's time to pop one."

Vaughn's elusiveness could make him an asset in the Dallas backfield. Even though the Cowboys have an RB1 in Tony Pollard, they must find an RB2 to replace former Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott, who they released this offseason. If Vaughn keeps making big plays, he will climb the depth chart. 

Plus, he's already made a strong impression on Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. "There are some very distinct concepts I have in mind for him... he's a dynamic player," McCarthy said of his plans for Vaughn, per the team's website.

Don't be surprised if Vaughn's role continues to increase throughout training camp because he could become a big-time player.

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