Walter Broughton was a four-year letterman for the Gamecocks and helped the team post a 32-13 record and win a pair of Gulf South Conference Championships during his tenure. He broke the Jacksonville State and Gulf South Conference records for most points in a season (96) and established a new JSU record for most rushing touchdowns (14) during the 1982 season.
The Brewton, Ala., native rushed for 1,745 yards and 26 touchdowns during his career to rank among JSU's Top 15 all-time rushers at the time. An excellent receiver out of the backfield, he also hauled in 71 passes for 550 yards and 10 touchdowns during his career. He returned 28 career kicks for 629 yards. He earned All-Gulf South Conference honors as a senior in 1983 after rushing for 668 yards and seven touchdowns, while also catching nine passes for three additional scores and returning 12 punts for 189 yards and bringing back nine kickoffs for 214 yards.
Broughton helped the Gamecocks post back-to-back 8-3 records in both 1980 and 1981, while the 1982 team won its second-straight Gulf South Conference Championship with a 10-2 record. JSU made two-straight NCAA playoff appearances and the 1982 team advanced to the NCAA semifinals.
Broughton was drafted in the second round of the 1984 USFL draft by the Michigan Panthers where as a receiver he caught 35 passes for 593 yards and five touchdowns to finish as the fourth-leading scorer on the team. He was waived and signed to the New Jersey Generals prior to the 1985 season where he played alongside star running back Herschal Walker and caught passes from rookie quarterback Doug Flutie. He caught 21 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns, including a 37-yard strike from Flutie at the Liberty Bowl on ESPN to beat the Memphis Showboats, 21-18.
With the folding of the original USFL in 1986, Broughton signed with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL) where he caught eight passes and played in 18 games over the next three seasons. His lone NFL touchdown came on a 25-yard pass from Jim Kelly in a 17-14 win at the New York Jets on Nov. 22, 1987. While in Buffalo, he played alongside former Gamecock and fellow Jax State Athletic Hall of Famer, Keith McKeller.
