INDIANAPOLIS – Ke'Shaun Vaughn and Daniel Bituli took different roads to get to the NFL Combine here this week, but Nashville helped guide them, and shape them.
And they're thankful for it.
"I feel like I've got the whole city supporting me," Vaughn said.
"Nashville," Bituli said, "helped make me the person I am today."
Vaughn, who played at Pearl-Cohn and Vanderbilt, is a dynamic running back who first began playing football in the front lawn of one of the city's housing projects. As a kid, he used a water bottle as his football, and he had to fight for everything along the way.
Bituli can relate, knowing his path was especially unique, and challenging, as well. The University of Tennessee linebacker, who prepped at Nashville Christian School, was born in Congo. But his family moved to the United States – and to Nashville – when he was just three years old because of political unrest, and concerns about his family's safety. Joining the Bellevue Steelers youth football team as a kid helped him find his calling while his parents and four siblings adjusted to all the changes around them.
"Looking back, with everything I went though, I definitely didn't imagine all this," a smiling Bituli said from the NFL Combine on Thursday." Growing up, I was fortunate to just have roof over my head. We didn't know sometimes what we'd do for food. I had to grow up fast. What my family had to go through, it is definitely not taken lightly. … So to be here, it is amazing to me."
Vaughn, who began his collegiate career at Illinois before transferring to Vanderbilt, became one of the school's top five all-time rushers with 2,259 yards despite just 23 career appearances as a Commodore. Vaughn also produced 21 rushing touchdowns, third most among Vanderbilt backs. He also became just the third Commodore back to post multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
He's considered among the top backs in this year's draft class.
"You don't grow up on Nashville without knowing Ke'Shawn Vaughn," Bituli said of his college rival. "The records he was breaking, the highlight tapes he was making. When he was in high school, he was amazing."
Bituli blossomed himself. He became only the second Vol to lead Tennessee in tackles for three straight seasons, wrapping up his 44-game career with 266 stops. The 2019 All-SEC second Team selection collected double-digit tackles in three games as a senior and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice.
He's ready to make his mark in the NFL.
"I want to be a great player, an All-Pro," Bituli said. "I want to be one of the best linebackers in this class and play in the league. To be here, and to have a chance to prove myself to these NFL teams, it means the world to me. I grew up looking up to a lot of guys who have been here before me. … So I don't take this position lightly."
Vaughn and Bituli are among a number of Nashville-area prospects here at the NFL Combine.
Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins, son of former Titans tackle Brad Hopkins, played at Ensworth High in Nashville. LSU linebacker Jacob Phillips prepped at East Nashville Magnet School, and Florida receiver Van Jefferson played at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood.
Here this week, all of them are hoping to make a nice impression on NFL coaches and scouts, which would help their draft stock.
Vaughn said the players want to represent. And yes, he's envisioned a dream scenario where he could remain in Nashville, as a pick of the hometown Tennessee Titans.
"I feel like that would be a good situation, just the fact that, if I go to the Titans, I know I'd be going into number two back," Vaughn said. "So (Derrick Henry) getting 30, 40 carries, however many they give him, he's kind of wearing down the defense. So you got me as an explosive back, I can come in and capitalize on the defenses being tired here and there. So that would be a good one-two punch if it could happen."
Check out Titans players over the years at the NFL Scouting Combine. (AP Photos)
Alabama running back Derrick Henry runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi wide receiver A.J. Brown runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
USC defensive back Adoree' Jackson runs a drill at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium, Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Massachusetts-Amherst receiver Tajae Sharpe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boise State defensive lineman Kamalei Correa runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, right, and Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana's Rodger Saffold runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California defensive lineman Jurrell Casey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arizona State offensive lineman Jamil Douglas runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Pittsburgh running back Dion Lewis runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas defensive back Kenny Vaccaro runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Towson defensive back Tye Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Rutgers defensive back Logan Ryan runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Michigan State offensive lineman Jack Conklin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern Utah defensive back Leshaun Sims runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Lewan runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State defensive lineman Daquan Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern Illinois tight end Mycole Pruitt runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Penn State defensive lineman Austin Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA defensive lineman Matt Dickerson runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Florida International tight end Jonnu Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nebraska defensive back Joshua Kalu runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry performs in a drill seen at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside throws during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Charlotte offensive lineman Nate Davis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive back David Long runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Craig Stevens of Cal Berkeley takes part in position drills during the 2008 Scouting Combine at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Alabama offensive lineman Chance Warmack runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Rutgers receiver Kenny Britt runs a football drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
FILE - In this March 1, 2010, file photo, Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Morgan is a top prospect in the NFL draft. AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Stephen Tulloch of North Carolina State crosses the finish line in the 40-yard dash during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis,Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kamerion Wimbley of Florida State crosses the finish line in the 40-yard dash during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2006. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn defensive lineman Sen'derrick Marks runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa running back Shonn Greene runs a football drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California's Damian Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Brian Orakpo runs a football drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
East Carolina running back Chris Johnson fields questions from the media during the 2008 Scouting Combine at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Mississippi's Dexter McCluster runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington quarterback Jake Locker during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami linebacker Colin McCarthy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson defensive back Coty Sensabaugh runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Western Kentucky running back Antonio Andrews runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Missouri linebacker Zaviar Gooden runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Baylor receiver Kendall Wright runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Connecticut defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
California offensive lineman Brian Schwenke runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Tennessee receiver Justin Hunter runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Washington running back Bishop Sankey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
