COWBOYS
How tall is Deuce Vaughn? Who is the shortest player in the NFL in 2024?
While the average height of an NFL player is above 6 feet, being on the shorter side can have some advantages too. One Cowboys player is out to prove that.
Football is a much different sport than basketball, and though a factor like height is important, it’s not always the most important. The average height of an NFL player is 6′2″, but it varies quite a bit by position, and there are several players who are much shorter than the average, and who have still been quite successful in the league.
Who is the shortest player in the NFL in 2024?
The shortest player in the NFL in 2024 is Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn. Vaughn was drafted by the Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2023 draft and stands at just 5′5″, the shortest player in NFL Scouting Combine history.
In high school, Vaughn ran track and played football for Cedar Ridge. In his senior year, he broke the record for rushes in a single season and was given a scholarship to play at Kansas State. With the Wildcats, Vaughn won Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors in 2020 and was one of just two Big 12 players to ever register 3,600 rushing yards and 1,250 receiving yards in a college career (tied with DeMarco Murray).
In his rookie season with the Cowboys, Vaughn played in just seven games as the RB3, finishing with 23 rushes for 40 yards, seven receptions for another 40 yards, and four punt returns for 19 yards. On Tuesday, he beat out veteran running back Royce Freeman for the Cowboys’ RB4 spot on the final 53-man roster. While he may get more chances with Dallas this season as part of their running back committee approach, he’s most likely to be used as their starting returner. Either way, Deuce is out to prove that height is but a number.
Shortest NFL players in 2024
- Deuce Vaughn, RB, Dallas Cowboys - 5 feet 5 inches
- J.J. Taylor, RB, Houston Texans - 5 feet 5 1⁄4 inches
- Jakeem Grant, WR/RS, free agent- 5 feet 5 7⁄8 inches
- Deonte Harty, WR/RS, Baltimore Ravens - 5 feet 6 3⁄8 inches
- Jaret Patterson, RB, Los Angeles Chargers - 5 feet 6 1⁄2 inches
- Boston Scott, RB, free agent - 5 feet 6 3⁄4 inches
- Rondale Moore, WR, Atlanta Falcons - 5 feet 7 inches
- Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants - 5 feet 7 inches
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs - 5 feet 7 1⁄4 inches
Who are the shortest players to ever play in the NFL?
On the list of shortest NFL players of all time, Deuce Vaughn is topped by just two - Jack Shapiro and Trindon Holliday. Jack Shapiro, like Vaughn, was a running back, and he holds the record for both the shortest and smallest NFL player of all time at 5′1″ and 119 pounds. Shapiro played in just one NFL game in 1929 for the Staten Island Stapletons.
Wide receiver Trindon Holliday is the second-shortest NFL player at 5′5″. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans and excelled on special teams during his time in the league. He also played for the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn is third on the list of shortest-ever NFL players.
Shortest NFL players in history
- Jack Shapiro, RB, 5'1"
- Trindon Holliday, WR, 5′5″
- Deuce Vaughn, RB, 5′5″
- Mack Herron, RB, 5′5″
- Darren Sproles, RB, 5′6″
- Tarik Cohen, RB, 5′6″
- Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, 5′6″
- J.J. Taylor, RB, 5′6″
- Jakeem Grant, WR, 5′6″
- Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, 5′7″
- Andrew Hawkins, WR, 5′7″
- Mark McMillian, CB, 5′7″