Vernon Broughton
Vernon Broughton II is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Early life
Broughton attended Cypress Ridge High School in Harris County, Texas. He was rated as a four-star recruit and the 79th overall player in the class of 2020, and committed to play college football for the Texas Longhorns over offers from schools such as LSU, Ohio State, and Texas A&M.College career
In his first three collegiate season from 2020 to 2022, Broughton appeared in 25 games for Texas, where he totaled 13 tackles with two being for a loss, and a sack. In 2023, he tallied 17 tackles with five being for a loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery for the Longhorns. Broughton entered the 2024 season as a starter on the Longhorns defensive line. In the 2024 regular season finale, he recorded two sacks and the game-sealing fumble recovery against rival 2024 [Texas A&M Aggies football team|Texas A&M], earning SEC co-defensive player of the week honors. In the 2024 [SEC Championship Game], Broughton totaled six tackles against 2024 [Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]. During the 2024 season, he played all 15 games, notching 39 tackle with four and a half being for a loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.Professional career
Broughton declared for the 2025 NFL draft. He initially accepted an invite to play in the 2025 Senior Bowl, but later dropped out of the bowl.Broughton was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 71st pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract worth 6.64 million. Broughton made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers and recorded 3 tackles. However, he suffered a season-ending hip injury in the contest, and was placed on injured reserve on September 17.