Expectations were high for Cortez Broughton last year. While new head coach Luke Fickell had a whole lot to work on with the Cincinnati Bearcats, Broughton wasn’t somebody he had to worry about. Coming off a season worthy of a second-team All-American Athletic Conference honor, the defensive tackle from Georgia was pegged as one of the best in the business. Athlon Sports named him to the pre-season all-AAC first team and they were not alone.
Those expectations were not met, however, as Broughton had a perfectly fine season but not one that would merit the type of postseason accolades he appeared destined to earn.