Illinois' Ke'Shawn Vaughn leaving program for Vanderbilt

Derek Mason is up one running back on the depth chart heading into signing day.

Former Illinois running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn, who had previously announced his intent to transfer, announced Tuesday that he will indeed be transferring and that Vanderbilt will be his destination.

"With the help of my family, I have decided to continue my academic and football endeavors at Vanderbilt University," Vaughn said in his Twitter announcement. "I am very blessed to have this opportunity to return to the place where it all began."

Vaughn saw his role with the Fighting Illini regress last season after leading the team in rushing with 723 yards as a freshman. The product of Nashville, Tenn., only put up 301 yards on the ground last season, but comes in as the heir apparent to returning senior Ralph Webb, who opted against leaving for the NFL Draft in favor of having one more season in the black and gold.

Because Vaughn is coming off his sophomore year, he will be forced to sit out the 2017 season in compliance with NCAA transfer regulations. With Webb leaving the program next season, Vaughn will return with two years of eligibility remaining and be poised to have an opportunity to be the main man in the backfield for the Commodores in 2018.