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Vanderbilt Football: Can Ke’Shawn Vaughn lead Commodores to bowl?

By John Scimeca

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Ke'Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs the ball and stiff arms Kamren Curl #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Ke'Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs the ball and stiff arms Kamren Curl #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER 27: Ke’Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores breaks the tackle of Dorian Gerald #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER 27: Ke’Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores breaks the tackle of Dorian Gerald #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Ke’Shawn Vaughn could be the answer

The prognosis for Vanderbilt starts with the replacement of Kyle Shurmur. While Riley Neal, a transfer from Ball State, brings a load of in-game experience, Deuce Wallace was the heir apparent until he was suspended for the entire 2018 season. In 32 starts for the Cardinals, Neal threw for 7,393 yards and completed more than 60 percent of his passes.

Whoever becomes the starter will have an outstanding supporting cast to rely upon. Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn ran for 1,244 yards on 157 carries, averaging 7.9 yards per carry. During a four-game stretch late last season in SEC play, Vaughn rushed for 724 yards and seven touchdowns. Even with the limited number of carries, Vaughn had 10 rushes of more than 40 yards last season, second-best in the country.

Wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb and tight end Jared Pinkney combined for 137 catches and 1,690 yards last season, and wide receiver C.J. Bolar expects to improve during his sophomore season after 34 catches for 440 yards last year.

Despite three departed starters on the offensive line, the skill position talent is good enough to make the transition smoother for either Neal or Wallace as the program’s next signal-caller.

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