Vaughn headed to ND
It's not often a player from the Southeast decides to spurn the SEC to head to the Midwest. But when it came time to make a decision for class of 2016 four-star Donte' Vaughn, it was all about South Bend, Ind.
Advertisement
"I'll be going to Notre Dame," the 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect from powerhouse Whitehaven High School said. "When I was up there for my official visit I saw everything I needed to see to know it was the place for me. They are going to give me the best of both worlds in terms of being one of the best schools in football and one of the best schools academically."
Vaughn, who has ranked as a safety but also can play cornerback, said his versatility is one of main reasons he liked the on-field fit with the Irish.
"They said they can see me starting out at corner, playing some nickel or maybe moving to safety," Vaughn said. "I'm pretty sure I can fit anywhere in their secondary and they have good one."
Notre Dame assistant coach Mike Elston is Vaughn's primary recruiter and Vaughn said their relationship, along with Vaughn's affinity for the rest of the Irish staff, went a long way toward sealing the deal.
"From the start they just came after me so hard and made me a priority," Vaughn said. "Coach Elston and I have built a relationship and when I got up there and got to see him and the other coaches interact with the players I could see that they actually care about their players and their futures, both on and off the field."
Assuming he signs with the Irish in February, Vaughn would be the first player from Memphis to go to Notre Dame in the Rivals.com era. He said representing his city in a new place is something that's very important to him.
"It means a lot to me to come from Memphis and be able to go to Notre Dame," he said. "I like to push myself, so even if it means leaving the South if it's a spot where they will push me on the field and in the classroom then I'm all for it."
Vaughn said he has no plans to visit other schools and has canceled a plan official visit to Tennessee. Instead he's focused on building bonds with other Irish commits and planning a return trip to South Bend.
"I've already gotten to know guys like Parker Boudreaux, Julian Okwara and D.J. Morgan," Vaughn said. "We all talk and we're getting close. I wanted to get up there this weekend but I can't make it so now I just have to make plans to come to another game later in the year."
Vaughn is the first player from the state of Tennessee to commit to the Irish since four-star offensive tackle Alex Bars signed with Irish in 2014. Vaughn is the sixth four-star prospect on the Irish's 16-player commitment list.
Click Here to view this Link.