Vaughan attended Calallen High School. As a senior, he was named first-team All-District 31-4A at both quarterback and punter. He also received All-Metro, All-South Texas and All-State academic honors. He practiced basketball and baseball. He helped the baseball team win the class 4A state championship.
College career
Vaughan accepted a football scholarship from Division II West Texas A&M University. As a redshirt freshman, he was the third-string quarterback and appeared in 4 games. As a sophomore, he became the starter in the second game of the season, leading the team to an 8–3 record and a win in the Kanza Bowl over the University of Central Missouri. He registered 227-for-382 completions for 3,316 yards, 25 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He had 384 passing yards and 3 touchdowns in a 42–21 win against #5 Texas A&M University–Kingsville. He had 430 passing yards, 4 touchdowns and 21 rushing yards in a 49–35 win over Central Washington University. As a junior, he helped the team reach the NCAA Semifinal for the first time in school history. He posted 359-for-555 completions for 4,712 yards, 45 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He had 409 passing yards and 5 touchdown passes against Western State University. He also had 5 touchdown passes against the University of West Georgia. As a senior, he was the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy. He recorded 5,401 passing yards and 53 touchdowns. He finished his college career with conference and school records for passing yards,, total yards and passing touchdowns.
Vaughan was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2014 NFL Draft. He surprised observers by making the team as the third-string quarterback. On September 5, 2015, he was waived after the team decided to carry just two quarterbacks on the regular season roster. The Cowboys opted not to add him to the practice squad, choosing instead to sign quarterback Kellen Moore, who had previous experience with the team's offensive coordinatorScott Linehan.
Buffalo Bills
On September 23, 2015, he was signed to the Buffalo Bills' practice squad. On October 19, he was released by the Bills to make room for wide receiverTitus Davis.
On January 22, 2016, Vaughan signed a futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On August 28, he was waived-injured by the Steelers after suffering a thumb fracture in a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles and on September 2, he was released from injured reserve after reaching an injury settlement.
Baltimore Ravens
On December 27, 2016, Vaughan was signed to the Ravens' practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Ravens on January 2, 2017. On August 14, 2017, the Ravens waived Vaughn.
