Vernon Broughton, the imposing defensive lineman from Texas, is poised to make his mark in the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 305 pounds, Broughton combines size, strength, and athleticism to form an intriguing prospect for NFL teams looking to bolster their defensive front.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Vernon Broughton, Texas
College Career
Broughton’s journey at Texas was one of steady progression. After seeing limited action in his first two seasons, he began to make an impact as a junior in 2023. His breakout came in his senior year, where he started all 16 games for the Longhorns and played a crucial role in their SEC Championship run.
In 2024, Broughton showcased his disruptive potential, recording 39 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. His performance in key moments, including a two-sack game against rival Texas A&M and a six-tackle outing in the SEC Championship against Georgia, highlighted his ability to rise to the occasion.
Over his entire college career, Broughton appeared in 56 games for the Longhorns, accumulating 70 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. While these numbers may not jump off the page, they reflect his development and increasing impact over time.
Strengths
Run Defense: Broughton’s most notable strength is his ability to anchor against the run. He displays excellent upper body strength and is stout at the point of attack, making him difficult to move off his spot.
Two-Gap Ability: His strength and leverage allow him to effectively two-gap, eating up blocks and freeing up linebackers behind him.
Versatility: Broughton has shown the ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line, lining up as a 3-technique, 4i, and occasional 5-tech.
Football IQ: He demonstrates good awareness and anticipation of blocking schemes, allowing him to diagnose plays quickly.
Durability: Broughton has proven to be reliable, consistently available throughout his college career.
Weaknesses
Pass Rush: While strong against the run, Broughton’s pass-rushing skills are still developing. He lacks a diverse array of moves and relies heavily on his bull rush.
Athleticism: Despite his size, Broughton isn’t considered an elite athlete for his position, which may limit his ceiling as a pass rusher.
Consistency: There are questions about his play-to-play consistency, suggesting he may need to improve his motor at the next level.
Hand Usage: Broughton could benefit from refining his hand technique to more effectively disengage from blocks.
NFL Projection
Broughton projects as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. His combination of size, strength, and run-stopping ability make him an attractive prospect for teams looking to shore up their defensive line rotation.
His best fit at the NFL level will likely be as a 3-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme or as a 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4 system. Broughton’s ability to hold his ground against the run and occupy multiple blockers will be valued by teams looking to improve their run defense.
While he may not be an every-down player immediately due to his limited pass-rushing skills, Broughton has the potential to develop into a solid rotational piece with the upside to become a starter. His versatility to play multiple positions along the defensive line adds to his value.
Comparison and Outlook
Broughton’s playing style and physical attributes draw comparisons to players like Jarvis Jenkins, as suggested by some analysts. Both share a similar build and excel in run defense while having room for improvement as pass rushers.
While Broughton may not have the ceiling of a Pro Bowl-caliber player, he has the potential to become a reliable contributor in an NFL defensive line rotation. His ability to stuff the run and eat up blocks will make him a valuable asset, particularly on early downs and in short-yardage situations.
Conclusion
Vernon Broughton enters the 2025 NFL Draft as a promising defensive line prospect with a clear strength in run defense. While he may not be a flashy first-round pick, his combination of size, strength, and versatility make him an intriguing option for teams looking to add depth and run-stopping ability to their defensive front.
Broughton’s journey from a late-blooming high school player to a key contributor on a championship-contending Texas team demonstrates his potential for growth. If he can continue to develop his pass-rushing skills and maintain consistency at the next level, Broughton has the tools to outperform his draft position and become a valuable piece of an NFL defensive line rotation.
As the draft approaches, Broughton’s performance at the NFL Combine and in pre-draft workouts will be crucial in determining his final draft position. Teams valuing stout run defense and positional flexibility will likely have Broughton high on their Day 3 draft boards.
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