A breakout campaign this past season propelled the pass rusher towards his dream of playing in the NFL.
Veteran Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton is eagerly waiting to his name called at the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
A consensus four-star prospect from Houston Cy Ridge in the 2020 recruiting class, Broughton developed into a reliable interior presence during his time on the Forty Acres.
Spending a majority of his career as a reserve or behind former stars Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat, Broughton had his first opportunity as the everyday player this past season and did not disappoint.
Broughton stuffed the stat sheet in a manner that he previously hadn’t achieved, notching 39 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries while starting 15 games. Each of these signifies tying or setting previous career highs.
I’m late getting to his tape but Vernon Broughton is easily a day 2 pick. Quick, explosive, skilled hands, lethal bull rush/long-arm pic.twitter.com/m22yvvSQ2W
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) March 23, 2025
Although Broughton always possessed the physical tools to excel at the college level, his limited playing time left many fans scratching their heads, even with the depth of talent around him. Having only started playing football as a high school sophomore, his choice to return for his fifth season offered a valuable opportunity to continue developing and showcase his potential as an NFL prospect.
During the season, Broughton established himself as an interior presence with the physical abilities to dominate now, but enough raw talent to suggest he still possesses ample room to develop. Broughton’s first step in the passing game is superb and he routinely blows past lineman.
He’s shown a formidable range of pass rush techniques that vary across speed, power, and finesse as evidenced by his sack number this past year. Broughton’s current skillset paired with his physical stature creates immense value now and future potential.
Vernon Broughton is a 6’4 308lb DT…. pic.twitter.com/H8qzKzt0gB
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) December 3, 2024
Broughton also possesses the intangible skills that NFL coaches love. He routinely makes tackles down the feel while tracking down the runner from behind. His energy rarely stops.
As mentioned, however, Broughton still has room to develop. While he should transition to the NFL as a situational usage player initially, he has the potential to carve more snaps. The consistency of Broughton’s run defense is a primary area of improvement as well as some of the finer aspects of the interior line such as press and shed techniques, speed to power conversions, etc.
Vernon Broughton measurements (DT combine percentile)
Ht: 6′ 5″ (88%)
Wt: 311lbs (68%)
Arm: 35” (94%)
Hand: 9 1/4” (10%)Vernon Broughton has been a sleeper at Texas and with a good day testing he could move his name up the boards pic.twitter.com/f4qETMXDgZ
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) February 27, 2025
Unfortunately for Broughton, he was limited in the pre-draft process due to a quad injury he suffered during training, although he was able to go through position drills at the Texas Pro Day.
Broughton is a raw prospect with the current skills to help an NFL defensive line. With the right scheme and usage, Broughton has the potential to make an immediate impact while continuing to develop.
Whichever team selects Broughton at this year’s draft will be improving their front with a high-motor player that has first-step quickness, strong pass-rushing skills, and a stout frame.