Vernon Broughton DL Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Vernon Broughton DL Texas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.90 seconds (61%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.90 seconds (61%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 80.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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56% |
| Pass Rush: |
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87% |
| Run Defense: |
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85% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#188
Position rank:
#44
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| College Games: 55 College Snaps: 1342 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Karl Brooks - Bowling Green |
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86% |
| Khristian Boyd - Northern Iowa |
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83% |
| Zacch Pickens - South Carolina |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A late bloomer who transformed from a high school hooper to a disruptive force on Texas' defensive front, Vernon Broughton's path to the NFL draft is anything but conventional. The Houston native didn't focus on football until his sophomore year at Spring Woods, where his raw athleticism caught recruiters' eyes. After transferring to Cypress Ridge, Broughton exploded onto the recruiting scene, earning Under Armour All-American honors and drawing attention from elite programs nationwide.Broughton's academic excellence matched his athletic development, earning Academic All-Big 12 honors while steadily climbing Texas' depth chart. His production grew each season in Austin, culminating in a breakout senior campaign where he became a key cog in the Longhorns' SEC Championship run. The defensive lineman saved his best for last, posting a monster performance in the rivalry renewal against Texas A&M with two sacks and a fumble recovery.
The 6'4", 305-pound defender appeared in 55 career games for the Longhorns, compiling 69 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. While the raw numbers don't jump off the page, Broughton's impact often came in crucial moments, like his six-tackle performance in the SEC Championship against Georgia.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive first step off the snap allows him to penetrate gaps before offensive linemen can properly set, particularly devastating when shooting B-gaps in passing situations
- Powerful hands pack a nasty punch in close quarters, consistently jolting blockers backward and creating immediate leverage advantages in one-on-one situations
- Shows rare closing speed for a 305-pounder, routinely chasing down plays from the backside and bringing serious juice as a pursuit defender
- Advanced pass rush repertoire featuring a devastating club-swim move that consistently creates separation, complemented by effective two-hand swipes
- Outstanding leverage player who consistently plays with proper pad level, allowing him to anchor against double teams despite a somewhat lean frame
- Displays exceptional lateral agility when working down the line, showing the ability to mirror and match zone blocking schemes without losing ground
- High motor rusher who brings relentless energy on every snap, wearing down opponents and creating late-game impact plays through pure persistence
- Scheme versatile frame with length to play as a 3-4 end or penetrating 3-tech, giving defensive coordinators multiple options for deployment
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Still developing consistency in run defense, occasionally gets washed out of his gap when facing committed double teams at the point of attack
- Raw power moves need refinement, tends to rely too heavily on athleticism rather than technique when converting speed to power
- Despite good hand usage, needs to improve arm extension to better control blockers before disengaging, particularly against longer offensive tackles
- Tackling technique shows concerning inconsistency, leading to some missed opportunities in the backfield when he's in position to make plays
- Production doesn't match his athletic traits, suggesting he's still developing the instincts to consistently impact games at the point of attack
Scouting Report: Summary
Broughton profiles as an ascending talent whose best football lies ahead. His combination of explosive athleticism and scheme versatility will have defensive line coaches pounding the table on draft day. The Longhorn shows flashes of dominance that hint at a much higher ceiling than his current level of play.His ideal NFL fit comes as a penetrating 3-technique in an aggressive, one-gap system where he can utilize his quick first step and developing pass rush arsenal. However, his frame and length also provide the flexibility to kick outside to 5-technique in odd-man fronts, particularly on passing downs where his burst off the edge can create favorable matchups.
Look for Broughton to make an immediate impact as a rotational defender while developing into a potential starter by year two. His athletic profile and constant motor will earn him early playing time, while technical refinement could unlock possible high level potential down the line.
How other scouting services rate Vernon Broughton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
119.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
38.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.