Deuce Vaughn honored as Kansas State’s first AP first-team All-American in 14 years
For the first time in 14 years, a Kansas State football player has earned first-team All-American honors from The Associated Press.
Deuce Vaughn, a sophomore running back who led the Wildcats in both rushing yards (1,246) and receiving yards (471) this season, appropriately made the AP’s first team as an all-purpose player on Monday.
It is an impressive and deserved honor for Vaughn considering he was the heart and soul of the Wildcats’ offense in 2021. He eclipsed 100 rushing yards in eight different games and caught at least one pass in all 12 of his games. Vaughn also found the end zone 18 times and regularly helped K-State move the chains in a variety of ways.
Former K-State receiver Jordy Nelson was the Wildcats’ last AP first-team All-American, in 2007.
Many publications vote on All-America teams at the end of each season, but the AP team is considered one of the most prestigious groups in the country. It is one of five organizations that make up the consensus All-America team, along with the American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
This is just the latest honor for Vaughn.
He was voted a second-team All-Big 12 running back by the conference’s coaches and media. And he earned Big 12 offensive player of the year honors from Pro Football Focus.
Vaughn will get one last chance to add on to his impressive sophomore stats when K-State plays LSU at the Texas Bowl on Jan. 4.
This story was originally published December 13, 2021 at 11:47 AM with the headline "Deuce Vaughn honored as Kansas State’s first AP first-team All-American in 14 years."