NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Preseason accolades keep coming for Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list today.
Vaughn, a senior from Nashville’s Pearl-Cohn High School, is under early consideration for the Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top college running back.
Earlier this week, Vaughn was named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented to the college football player of the year.
Several of Vaughn’s teammates could appear on preseason watch lists soon. Committees for two other important awards, the Biletnikoff Award (top receiver) and John Mackey Award (top tight end), are expected to release their preseason candidates this week.
Vaughn will join head coach Derek Mason and teammates Kalija Lipscomb and Jared Pinkney Thursday at SEC Media Days.
Vaughn has received plenty of preseason attention this summer. In addition to the Doak Walker and Maxwell award recognitions, Vaughn has been named to preseason All-America teams by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele, and an abundance of All-SEC squads.
Vaughn rushed for 1,244 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last year, averaging an amazing 7.9 yards per attempt. Vaughn’s rushing total from a year ago is the most by any returning back in the SEC.
Vaughn finished off the 2018 campaign in sensational fashion, producing one of the best individual performances in team history at the Texas Bowl. Vaughn rushed for 243 yards, the second highest single-game total ever by a Commodore, and two touchdowns on just 13 carries against Baylor. The remarkable effort included three rushes longer than 65 yards.
The Commodores open the year hosting SEC opponent Georgia Aug. 31 in Vanderbilt Stadium. Kickoff for the opener is at 6:30 p.m.
Besides Georgia, Vanderbilt’s home schedule includes LSU on Sept. 21, Northern Illinois on Sept. 28, UNLV on Oct. 12, Missouri on Oct. 19, Kentucky on Nov. 16 and East Tennessee State on Nov. 23.
Season tickets for the 2019 are available at the same rates as a year ago. Season-ticket packages for the Commodores’ seven-game home schedule starts at only $308 for premium sideline seats and $178 for reserve end zone sections of Vanderbilt Stadium. Tickets can be purchased here.
