February 13, 2013

Kearney's Broughton No Stranger to MU

When Brock Broughton moved from Sandusky, Ohio to Kearney, Mo., two years ago, it didn't take him long to learn his Bulldogs history.

State champions in 2002, 2003 and 2009. Hotbed for college talent. And the old stomping grounds of two former Missouri Tigers: Brock Christopher and Tommy Saunders.

He never saw them play, but he's certainly familiar.

"I've heard a lot about them," Broughton said. "Tommy Saunders just looks like an animal… I've heard so much about Brock Christopher, the All-American, all these things."

Broughton isn't a linebacker like Christopher, nor is he a wide receiver like Saunders. Instead, he's a big, physical running back who describes himself as a cross between a speed and power back. At an even six feet and 190 pounds, several Big 12 and Big Ten schools are pursuing him. That includes Minnesota, which invited him to its Junior Day earlier this month, as well as Nebraska. He'll visit Kansas State this Saturday.

And then there's Missouri.

"Mizzou's there too," Broughton said.

He said he doesn't care what kind of offense he plays in. He said he's heard Missouri is trying to utilize a fullback more, but it's not something that necessarily concerns him.

"I'm not very particular," Broughton said. "I don't really have a style that I like to play. I just like the help the team."

As he narrows his list down, though, there is indeed something he's looking for out of a football program. It has nothing to do with offensive playcalling.

It's about the coaches.

"Coaches, nowadays, money is where it's at," Broughton said. "You want to find the coaches that have been together for a while, where you know you can trust what they're going to say. Coaches can say anything they want, but if a coach truly means what he says, I think that's a really good thing for a player."

No college coaching staff has extended Broughton an official scholarship offer yet, but he's hoping these Junior Day visits garner him some publicity.

"I'm gonna try to keep sending some highlights, trying to do as much as I can to make my name stand out there," Broughton said.

He may not be a five-star recruit, but neither were Christopher or Saunders. In fact, Saunders had to walk-on at Missouri at first after earning All-State honors on both sides of the ball as a senior at Kearney.

"I've heard all these things about their team [at Kearney]. They were dedicated," Broughton said. "That's what I want our team to be."

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