Former Texas standout Vernon Broughton gives Longhorn fans a preview for the next group of NFL Draft stars to know

After being a solid member of the Texas defensive line previously, Vernon Broughton took his game to a whole other level in 2024. He ended that season with 39 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. Broughton is now taking on the next challenge, impressing NFL evaluators at the 2025 […]

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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Former Texas DT Vernon Broughton speaks at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine
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After being a solid member of the Texas defensive line previously, Vernon Broughton took his game to a whole other level in 2024. He ended that season with 39 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. Broughton is now taking on the next challenge, impressing NFL evaluators at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.

While meeting with the media on Wednesday, Broughton was asked about the Longhorn program and the next wave of Texas stars. He had a couple of young defensive tackles that NFL Draft followers need to be aware of.

The first one is Alex January, who was a part of the 2024 recruiting class for the Longhorns. At 6-5 and 315 pounds, January is a massive freshman out of Duncanville, Texas. He had just three total tackles in his first season with the program. This is definitely a name to tuck away.

Texas was able to win out for January despite a long list of impressive suitors. Some of the schools that pursued January included Georgia, Oregon, Oklahoma, LSU, Miami, USC, Tennessee, Florida State, and Auburn amongst many, many others.

Broughton also mentioned Melvin Hills III, he was also a part of that 2024 recruiting class with January. Hills isn’t as big as January, coming in at 6-3 and 305 pounds currently. Hills is a big wildcard mention, having not recorded a stat this past fall.

The Louisiana native was rated as a consensus three-star player by every major recruiting platform. He opted for the Longhorns over Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Florida State, and Auburn among many others.

Texas has done a great job developing the defensive line over the last several years. Players like Byron Murphy, T’Vondre Sweat, and Moro Ojomo have been talented defensive tackles who have made the job to the NFL level. From the sounds of it, that isn’t stopping anytime soon. 

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