LOGAN, Utah – On a day meant for giving thanks, senior wide receiver Aaren Vaughns was offered something to be grateful for: a scholarship at Utah State.

The native of Altadena, Calif., began his career with the Aggies as a walk on his junior year after being contacted by former USU special teams coordinator and running backs coach Mark Tommerdahl.

"He called me and asked me if I wanted to walk on and I just took it," Vaughns said.

Vaughns then contacted current teammate Jordan Nathan, who went to the same junior college, Mt. San Antonio Junior College, and lived in Monrovia, Calif., which is close to where Vaughns lived, and asked him about Utah State.

"He just told me to come up here, so I did," Vaughns said.

When he got here, inside receivers coach Luke Wells knew very little about Vaughns on the first day of fall camp.

"He went from being the fifth guy in the room to being a part-time starter within just a month or so. All he's done is improve," Wells said. "He's got play-making ability and that's the first thing I noticed. He worked really hard to learn our offense and learn what to do. He's just done nothing but improve. It means a lot to me to see a guy do that."

Wells said they were planning to recruit a player to fill that spot, but they didn't need to.

"We had the right guy in our program the whole time," Wells said.

A few months after walking on, Vaughns was spending Thanksgiving Day with his family.

"That day, I was blessed with the opportunity to accept a scholarship," Vaughns said. "That was the best day I've ever had."

Added Wells: "That's a pretty cool deal to earn one. I haven't been around a lot where a guy earns one just the first semester in. That's extremely cool to see that happen."

Through the first 11 games of his senior season, Vaughns has caught 24 passes for 365 yards (15.2 ypc) and three touchdowns. He has also rushed the ball a dozen times for 100 yards, including a long of 41.

Vaughns caught his first-ever touchdown for the Aggies against Tennessee Tech when he hauled in a two-yard touchdown from Jordan Love in the second quarter of Utah State's 73-12 victory on Sept. 13. Also against Tennessee Tech, Vaughns recorded one carry for 10 yards and had one kickoff return for 19 yards.

During his first season at Utah State, Vaughns played in all 13 games and made his first career start against New Mexico State (12/29) in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. Vaughns had 14 receptions for 155 yards, to go along with 99 rushing yards on six carries. Vaughns scored his only touchdown of the year against Air Force (11/25) on a 71-yard touchdown run. Vaughns also had one touchdown pass for 29 yards to Braelon Roberts against Wyoming (10/14), and caught a season-long 29-yard reception against the Cowboys.

Some of Vaughns' favorite memories from his time at Utah State have come from the opportunity he's had to travel as he never flew growing up.

"Going to different places like Wisconsin, Wake Forest, seeing different environments and different atmospheres, it is a great experience for me," Vaughns said.

Vaughns said his time at USU has been great, although the Californian is still trying to get used to the snow.

"I like sunny skies, but I'm starting to enjoy the snow," Vaughns said.

Vaughns grew up with 11 siblings, falling in at No.6 or "the baby of the oldest."

"You learn some things and it sets an example for what not to do and what to do, and what to expect in life," Vaughns said. "I just took it as I need to do better. I'm here at USU and I think I'm leading to the right tracks for my little brothers."

Vaughns played football and baseball his whole life. His dad first got him into baseball, where he played shortstop and second base. His mom got him into football and he fell in love with the sport. Vaughns played both sports throughout his life, including in junior college. He stopped playing baseball once he arrived at USU.

Vaughns said he likes to smile, and although not a lot of people notice it, he's easy to talk to.

"They see me as a quiet type. I always have my headphones on," Vaughns said. "But, if you say something, or I say something, I'm going to talk to you no matter what. I'm an easy-going guy. It's just how I was raised."

Wells agreed.

"He's got a great smile. My man is always happy," Wells said. "He's always in a good mood on-and-off the field. He has fun playing the game. He has fun in the meeting room. He's got some good, positive energy about him. That's who he is as a person."

When he's not playing football, Vaughns like to sleep and play video games with his roommates, Ron'quavion Tarver and Jalen Greene.

Vaughns will graduate in December with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. Afterward, he would like to try and continue his career at the next level.

"If I end up getting the opportunity, I would love it," Vaughns said. "If not, I would like to pursue my coaching career."

Wells knows Vaughns will be successful no matter which path he goes down.

"Whatever he ends up doing, he'll be good at it. He'll work extremely hard. He'll do whatever he'll have to do to accomplish his goals," Wells said. "What he did his first semester here kind of defines who he is. He's got a really good work ethic and he has a really good mindset to go out and do what he has to do and accomplish what he has to accomplish."

Before he leaves, though, Vaughns has one final goal.

"To win a Mountain West championship. That's it," he said.

Vaughns and the Aggies are two steps away from achieving that goal. Utah State (10-1, 7-0 MW) will wrap up the regular season with a road game at Boise State (9-2, 6-1) on Saturday, Nov. 24, at Albertsons Stadium. The game, which is set for an 8:15 p.m. kickoff, will be televised live on ESPN, and determine the Mountain Division champion in the Mountain West.

The winner of Saturday night's game will host Fresno State, the West Division champ, in the Mountain West Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 1.