2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Vernon Broughton

Vernon Broughton NFL Draft Profile

• College: Texas
• College Position: Defensive Tackle
• Ideal NFL Position: 3-4 Defensive End (5-tech) / 4-3 Defensive Tackle (1 or 3 tech)
• Height / Weight: 6’5” / 311 lbs
• Arm Length / Hand Size: 35” / 10 1/2”
• Year / Age: Fifth-Year Senior / 23 (Turns 24 in Summer 2025)
• Draft Projection: Round 5-6
• Where I’d Take Him: Early Round 4

NFL Combine Results:

Broughton didn't test at the NFL Combine or his pro day, leaving a gap in verified athletic metrics.

Background:

A four-star recruit out of Cypress Ridge High School in Houston, Vernon Broughton was one of the top defensive linemen in Texas' 2020 class, ranked as the No. 10 DT nationally by 247Sports. He chose to stay in-state and commit to the Longhorns over Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M. Broughton arrived in Austin with high expectations but found himself buried behind an incredibly deep and talented defensive line group that included Keondre Coburn, T’Vondre Sweat, Byron Murphy, Moro Ojomo, and Alfred Collins.

Rather than transfer out, Broughton chose to stay loyal to the Texas program and wait his turn — a rarity in today’s college football landscape. Over his first four years, he played sparingly in a rotational role, seeing action in 40 games but logging limited snaps. His patience paid off in 2024 when he stepped into a full-time starting role and immediately made a strong impression with his size, length, and power at the point of attack.

In 2024, Broughton started all 14 games and posted a career-high 39 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was a key part of Texas' front that helped them reach the College Football Playoff. His performance earned praise from coaches and scouts for his physicality and maturity in handling his role.

Across his Texas career, Broughton appeared in 56 games, starting 14. He primarily lined up at 3-tech but showed the ability to shift to 0- and 5-tech as needed — a key selling point for NFL teams seeking scheme versatility.

Strengths:

• Prototypical size with outstanding arm length (35") and upper-body power
• Strong hand usage to disengage from blockers; violent chops and swats
• Efficient arm-over and swim techniques to slip into the backfield
• He shows good leverage for a 6’5” player; he rarely plays too tall
• Flashes surprising lateral quickness and agility for his size
• Can anchor vs. double teams and handle multiple alignments (0-5 tech)
• High motor, effort-based player who chases plays down the line

Weaknesses:

• High-cut frame with skinny lower half; relies on upper-body strength too often
• If his initial move fails, he struggles to counter, and his pass rush stalls
• Some lower-body stiffness limits his change of direction and counters
• Inconsistent get-off; can be a half-tick late off the snap
• He only had one year as a starter; turns 24 before his rookie season