“Expect Him To Become A Star”
May 10th, 2020
Former Jets and Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy is a student of the SEC and loves what he sees on the Buccaneers roster.
His happiness revolves around one player he adored entering the NFL Draft: running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, the Buccaneers’ third-round pick out of Vanderbilt.
Gators fans won’t like it, but you can watch McElroy, who works for SEC Network, break down his respect for Vaughn in the video linked here.
He says Vaughn is the undervalued prospect out of the SEC and was held back by poor talent around him.
“I think he’s really going to blossom when put into an NFL system,” McElroy said. “I’m a huge believer in his ability, and I think last year he wasn’t surrounded by a real good supporting cast. And when he gets that opportunity in the NFL, expect him to become a star. I really believe he’s going to be a great value pick for somebody, maybe third round, fourth round.”
Joe literally will scream with ecstasy if the Bucs actually nailed a quick-impact running back in the draft. We got flashes of that in 2013 with Mike James before his unfortunate injury, and we got it big-time with Doug Martin in 2012, so it’s been awhile.
May 10th, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Nice Joe, I forgot about Mike James!
I don’t know what to expect from Vaughn but my expectations are not very high. I got super excited for RoJo and it turned out he was a rookie manchild. I’m going the other way here and hopefully Vaughn’s rookie season goes opposite of Rojos too.
Having Gronk, signing Wirfs, and having Brady’s intelligence in audibles really should boost our run game this year. If it goes like I think, the holes will be large enough for just about anyone to pick up a few yards. Vaughn is a straight downhill rocket and RoJo is very similar but more of a one cut back. I would love to see a game where we just play smash mouth ball and throw less than 20x.
May 10th, 2020 at 5:15 pm
I don’t know about becoming a star, but he has the ability to be Bradys James White! I also believe we have another breakout player on the roster that absolutely nobody is talking about, but Bruce Arians mentioned him in an interview: John Franklin III, of the Last Chance U fame. I believe he has matured and will not only make this roster, but may cost someone their job! 6 receivers: Evans, Godwin, Johnson, Miller, Watson and Franklin III! Arians is impressed with him apparently and it certainly doesn’t hurt that he has 4.2 – 4.3 speed! He will see the field
May 10th, 2020 at 5:16 pm
Vaughn was one of the leading rushers in the SEC with arguably one of the WORST O-Lines and terrible passing game.
He has “upside” written all over him.
May 10th, 2020 at 5:22 pm
Excited about Vaughn in a way that I wasn’t about Rojo. Thank god we didn’t pick a RB, the least valuable position, in the second round.
May 10th, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Mike James!!! Blast from the past!
May 10th, 2020 at 5:38 pm
I had hardly heard of Vaughn before the draft. And he wouldn’t have been my pick. But I now have looked into his record and agree with this professional writer about his talent. I think he will do well in TB and we’ll have a nice 1-2 punch at RB. Vaughn will surprise most folks – in a positive way. A tough runner.
May 10th, 2020 at 5:54 pm
He seems to have a pretty good burst and ran all over Missouri a few times (Missouri has always had strong defense.). He also seems to be that back that accelerates away from defenders well in open space for very long gains and he did have the most touchdown runs of 60 yards or more of any SEC back. I like the pic alot he might outshine Rojo but at least we now have two very capable backs in our backfiend and Vaughn can catch the ball to boot.
May 10th, 2020 at 5:54 pm
ncbucsfan: I noticed the same thing, when BA brought up Franklin.
May 10th, 2020 at 5:54 pm
I hope so!
May 10th, 2020 at 5:57 pm
I appreciate reading all the positive comments for a very nice change. Thanks guys.
May 10th, 2020 at 6:03 pm
I am really bummed out to think about what Mike James could have been . He had a complete package, including being able to throw the jump pass on the goal line for touchdowns.
May 10th, 2020 at 6:04 pm
He’s a grown man coming out, unlike Rojo who came out young, and needed a year to man up. I expect him to have a good year as a rookie.
May 10th, 2020 at 6:04 pm
@Geno, No Ndog and Big Hog No negative comment or racist comments
May 10th, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Wow let me see a mike james highlight
May 10th, 2020 at 6:49 pm
I hope so, but it is RoJo that with become a star next year ,finally running behind a good OL and playing on a balanced offense
May 10th, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Grown man is right. Sounds like a leader and a grinder too.
May 10th, 2020 at 7:16 pm
Still think we’re going to regret passing on Akers AND Bowden. Akers is a much better athlete and Bowden is a David Johnson clone with wildcat QB experience.
May 10th, 2020 at 7:20 pm
Screaming and ecstasy huh I always dreamed those words would be used with Kay Adams after meeting a lonely Bucs fan and ending up alone in a swanky hotel enjoying a wonderful evening! Where we would discuss the bucs franchise and nahhhh. We would have pressing matters to attend to first 🤩
May 10th, 2020 at 7:26 pm
Yeah we could have used Akers but you know what we could have used more?
Our new safety
May 10th, 2020 at 7:48 pm
Not sure why Gator fans won’t like it, we got the hate out in 2018. We’ve seen what this kid can do, and are excited he’s wearing red and pewter instead of black and gold (for 2 reasons!)
May 10th, 2020 at 8:45 pm
I think our running game is going to have an improvement just because Brady is under center. With Brady understanding defenses and his ability to audible, something Jameis could never do, before he even snaps the ball he will be able to set the backs up into a great position. Not having to force a play that the D has cold will give these backs a better chance to succeed. If this guy just needs a pro offense around him he should be in great hands this year!
May 10th, 2020 at 8:47 pm
I believe they passed on Akers and Dobbins to get Winfield and thought Gipson from Memphis will be there. I have no worries about Vaughn, because we have coaches that will develop young players (except for Jameis, still believe year two would have been better)
May 10th, 2020 at 8:52 pm
Damn I was on that Mike James train! Wish he would’ve worked out.
May 10th, 2020 at 9:34 pm
It is correct that Vaughn didn’t have a good supporting cast at Vanderbilt……his oline was ranked the worst out of all FBS teams…….WORST…..dead last.
I believe this guy is ready to play.
128. VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Highest-graded player: OT Devin Cochran – 68.3 (128th)
Vanderbilt’s offensive line just couldn’t pave the way in the run game, as they finished with the lowest run-blocking grade as a unit this season. Their pass protection wasn’t much better either, as they ended the season ranked 122nd in pass-blocking grade after giving up pressure at the nation’s 16th-highest rate.
May 10th, 2020 at 9:35 pm
Gosh I hope this dude is right.
May 10th, 2020 at 9:38 pm
Vaughn took the Gators by big surprise in 2018. He is a great pick for us and having Brady to audible against defenses will bring our running game to life alternating between Rojo and Vaughn, and don’t forget that Vaughn has great hands to catch outlet passes from Brady too. We are set now for a great season!
May 10th, 2020 at 10:03 pm
128. VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Highest-graded player: OT Devin Cochran – 68.3 (128th)
Vanderbilt’s offensive line just couldn’t pave the way in the run game, as they finished with the lowest run-blocking grade as a unit this season. Their pass protection wasn’t much better either, as they ended the season ranked 122nd in pass-blocking grade after giving up pressure at the nation’s 16th-highest rate.
May 10th, 2020 at 10:23 pm
2nd leading rusher in the SEC on a crap team says it all. KSV can ball and will fit nicely.
May 10th, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Fun fact: Ronald Jones is 3 months YOUNGER than Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
May 10th, 2020 at 11:08 pm
Everybody talkin smack right now..Before the season begins. We are The Goats at talking smack..until we get hit. I’ve been a proud Buck fans sine Buc creation. Its all been said before. I got that Missouri mentality. Show me. The hype?..You young’ens should have it. I’m not bout takin your glory from you. You will learn. I did. Lets see the product on the field. Optimism is fine. The reality of that optimism is an entirely different thing.
May 10th, 2020 at 11:50 pm
McElroy said Jim Mciiween would be the best coach in the SEC and turn his qb in to a superstar so, great
May 10th, 2020 at 11:51 pm
Vaughn will make you think about Barber
May 11th, 2020 at 2:16 am
man ohhh man…
mike james…
i liked his skills…
i think he even had a 100 yard game or so…
i thought he would blow up
May 11th, 2020 at 11:21 am
@TBBF: Imagine how Vaughn would be rated had he played behind, say, the LSU O-Line and offense.
May 11th, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Holy Crap Joe great call! I turn 50 this year so I had to look up Mike James but yes I remember him well now. I think he had a monster game aginst Seattle. People crushed ROJO waay too much his rookie year. This offense has been horrible on running backs for a while. Hopefully Brady screen passes and MAJOR improvement on the strongside with Gronk and our rookie stud will help free up running backs.