KENNY VACCARO - S
HEIGHT: 6-0 *
*WEIGHT: 214
COLLEGE: TEXAS
DRAFTED: 1st ROUND (15th OVERALL)
BORN: 2/15/91
COLLEGE CAREER – An All-American at the University of Texas and top-rated defensive back in the NFL Draft, Vaccaro became the first safety to be selected by the Saints in the first round in franchise history. The versatile defender started 32-of-51 games he appeared in as a Longhorn while using his incredible combination of athletic ability and toughness to contribute from four different positions, including both safety spots. The Brownwood, Texas native registered 264 tackles (162 solo), two sacks for minus 16 yards, 16 stops for losses of 59 yards, five interceptions for 19 yards, 21 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two blocked kicks and 14 tackles (10 solo) on special teams in his time at the University of Texas while twice being named to the All-Big 12 Conference first-team and garnering All-American honors as a senior.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS –Selected by the Saints in the first round (15th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
2012– Earned first-team All-American honors from Pro Football Weekly and was a second-team pick by the NFL Draft Report as a senior…Earned All-Big 12 Conference first-team recognition from the league's coaches among others…Shared the team's Joseph W. Moore Tenacity Award for Defense and earned the Mike Campbell Defensive MVP and George 'Hook' McCullough Team MVP awards…Started all 13 games and totaled a team-leading 107 tackles (60 solo) including four stops behind the line of scrimmage…Also added two interceptions for 19 yards, five pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. 2011 – Chosen to the All-Big 12 Conference first-team by the league's coaches…Earned the University of Texas Joseph W. Moore Tenacity Award for Defense…Started all 13 contests as a junior at the strong safety position and totaled 82 tackles (47 solo), two sacks for minus 16 yards, eight stops for losses of 28 yards, eight pass deflections and two interceptions…Helped the Longhorn defense lead the league and rank sixth in the nation in rushing defense (92.2 ypg.) and 11th in total defense (306.1 ypg.). 2010– Earned Texas' Joseph M. Moore Tenacity Award for defense and the Frank Denius Most Valuable Special Teams Player honor while also receiving the coaching staff's Hard Hat Award…Appeared in all 12 games at multiple different positions on the defensive and special teams units…Finished fifth on team with 56 tackles (42 solo), also adding four stops for minus 22 yards, eight pass deflections, one interception and a forced fumble while contributing five tackles (four solo) and a blocked kick on special teams…Helped the Longhorns rank sixth in the nation in total defense (300.2 ypg.) and pass defense (161.6 ypg.). 2009 –Appeared in 13 games on defense and special teams…Finished with 19 tackles (13 solo), nine special teams stops (six solo) and a blocked kick…Twice named the team's Most Productive Performer on special teams.
PERSONAL – Majored in physical culture and sports…Attended Brownwood (Texas) HS before transferring to Early HS for his senior campaign…Played six different positions while totaling 235 tackles and five interceptions while also seeing action at WR and RB…Earned All-State and All-District first-team honors as a defensive back…Uncle, A.J. Johnson, played for the Washington Redskins (1989-94), helping the Redskins to a victory in Super Bowl XXVI before spending one season with the San Diego Chargers (1995)…Has one son, Kenneth III…Born Feb. 15, 1991 in Brownwood, Texas.
