Get to know Vernon Broughton, defensive tackle from Texas, who was selected by the Saints in the third round with the 71st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Waiting for his Moment
Broughton started 15 games for Texas in 2024, emerging as a regular starter and recording a career-high 39 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks. He developed in a crowded defensive line room that featured 2024 NFL Draft picks Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat before stepping into a full-time starting role.
Playoff Performer
Broughton combined for 11 tackles (eight solo, three assisted) in Texas' postseason games: six tackles vs. Georgia (12/7), one vs. Clemson (12/21) and four vs. Arizona State (1/1).
Texas High School Star
An All-American and two-time all-district honoree for Cypress Ridge High School, Broughton was selected to participate in the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game. As a senior, he recorded 36 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He primarily played basketball in high school until his sophomore year.
Scholar-Athlete
A former four-star recruit out of Cypress Ridge, Broughton was a finalist for the prestigious Watkins Award, honoring the nation's top African-American high school scholar-athlete. In college he was selected as 2020-21 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team honoree and was a three-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (fall 2020, spring 2021, spring 2022).
Off the Field
Broughton married Camille Griffin in 2024, missing Texas' spring game for his wedding, which had been scheduled prior to the game announcement. He and his wife are expecting a baby due in May.
Year | GP | GS | Tot Tkl | TFL | Sack | QBH | FF |
2020 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
2022 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 0 |
2023 | 14 | 1 | 17 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
2024 | 16 | 15 | 39 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 5 | 2 |
Totals | 56 | 17 | 70 | 11.5 | 6.5 | 10 | 2 |
