Quincy University Hawks

2025 (Senior): Vaughn put together one of the top defensive seasons in program history during his senior season with the Hawks, appearing in and starting all 11 games along the defensive line. He became just the second player in program history to be named GLVC Defensive Player of the Year, establishing himself as an absolute force up front for Quincy.

Vaughn finished the year with 57 tackles, including 29 solo stops and 28 assists. He led the Hawks with 12 tackles for loss for 59 yards, ranking fifth in the GLVC, while also leading the team with seven sacks for 48 yards, which ranked tied for fifth in the conference.

Vaughn also tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles, ranking tied for second in the GLVC, while adding two fumble recoveries, six quarterback hurries, and three pass breakups. He recorded a tackle for loss in 10 of 11 games, posted a season-high 10 tackles against Indianapolis (11/1/25), and capped off his senior campaign with a two-yard rushing touchdown on Senior Day against Southwest Baptist (11/15/25).
-    GLVC Defensive Player of the Year
-    GLVC First Team All-Conference
-    D2CCA All-Super Region 3 First Team Defense

2024 (Junior): In his second season with QU, Jaylin totaled 27 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He had a season-high six tackles against Upper Iowa (9/28/24), which included 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
-    GLVC Second Team All-Conference

2023 (Redshirt Sophomore): In his first season with the Hawks, Vaughn appeared in five games, where he registered eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. He made his QU debut against Fort Lauderdale (9/16/23), where he made his first tackle. He recorded his first sack with the Hawks against McKendree (10/28/23). 

2022 (Sophomore at Ellsworth CC): Vaughn recorded 28 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception in his last season with the Panthers. He had a season-high six tackles against Butler Community College (11/12/22), which was the same game he forced and recovered a fumble.
-    ICCAC First Team All-Region

Personal: Jaylin Vaughn, from Wentzville, Missouri, is a Fort Zumwalt North High School graduate and former standout linebacker for the Panthers. He spent 1.5 years at Ellsworth Community College before transferring to QU. In high school, Jaylin was a 3X All-State, All-Conference, and All-District linebacker, also earning All-Metro honors once, and was starting varsity as a freshman. He tallied 350 total tackles and 25 touchdowns during his high school career and helped lead his team to four GAC Central Conference championships and a 5A state runner-up finish. 

He is the son of Jerome and Carla Vaughn and has a younger brother, Jaxson. Jaylin was also inducted into the St. Charles High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In his free time, he enjoys working out, watching movies, and spending time with his family and girlfriend Maggie. His favorite athlete is Odell Beckham Jr., and he is passionate about helping youth build confidence.