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On Monday afternoon, coveted Houston Cy Ridge defensive tackle Vernon Broughton made his second list cut, trimming his options from 10 teams to just six, and once again, the Texas Longhorns remain alive and well.
Along with the Longhorns, the 6’5, 286-pound talent named Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, Ohio State, and Texas A&M as his top options.
“My goals never changed, only the plans!” #Faith #Godspeed ......✝️ pic.twitter.com/wBH1u5JFIN
— Vernon Broughton ll (@Broughto1Vernon) May 20, 2019
Arkansas wasn’t among Broughton’s top teams the first time around in February, while Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, Houston, and USC each survived his initial list cut before being excluded from his latest list.
“They’re recruiting me pretty hard,” Broughton told BON’s Joe Hamilton in March of why Texas is a top option. “Coach Giles and Coach Herman, they hit me up. I’ve really been making a relationship with them. But yeah, they’re recruiting me pretty hard.”
“Me and him, we’re cool,” Broughton added of Longhorns defensive line coach Oscar Giles. “I like him and he likes me. He’s honest with me and really shows an interest in me. Coach Giles said if I work hard enough he sees me not redshirting and getting playing time early.”
Broughton’s latest list cut comes just weeks after his his first official visit, which he utilized on yet another trip to Texas on May 4. He’s now toured the Forty Acres three times this offseason and twice in as many months, as he was on hand for the Orange-White spring game, as well.
At this point, Broughton’s Crystal Ball sits entirely in favor of Texas, with each of his eight picks being placed for the Longhorns. Though Texas is quite clearly in an ideal position with its top defensive tackle target this cycle, their recruiting efforts will have to extend beyond Broughton, himself. To secure Broughton’s signature, Texas, and any other program, for that matter, will have to establish a relationship with his family.
“If my family feels that you’re feeling me, I’m going to feel you,” Broughton said. “So if you love me, I’m going to love you back. If you got that with my family, then we’re good.”
Broughton is ranked as the nation’s No. 70 layer and as the No. 5 defensive tackle, per the 247Sports Composite.
This story will be updated.