Zachariah Branch turned heads right out of the gate during his Trojan debut in 2023. As a true freshman, the 5-star recruit outshone reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams in USC’s season opener.
As reported by CBS Sports:
“Branch scored two touchdowns — one as a kickoff returner and one as receiver — while also proving elusive as a rusher and punt returner. By night’s end, he’d stolen the spotlight — at least temporarily — from USC quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams… [He amassed] 232 all-purpose yards….”
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ZACHARIAH BRANCH.
📺: @Pac12Network
📱: https://t.co/H8gtm99ygy pic.twitter.com/b7lr4IL1Me— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) August 27, 2023
Now, as the Trojans prepare for the 2024 season and competition in the Big Ten, they are looking to Branch to follow in the illustrious footsteps of Trojan receivers to precede him, including the likes of Lynn Swann, J.K. McKay, Keyshawn Johnson, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, to name a few.
Bio and Stats — Zachariah Branch
Branch was born in 2004 and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Growing up, he frequently attended USC games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with his brother Zion, who is a safety on the Trojans.
Zachariah Branch was regarded as the “most dynamic skill player” in the 2023 recruiting class. Recruiters projected him “as an instant impact game-breaker at the college level with immense long-term potential.” He was the highest rated wide receiver in the nation in that recruiting class.
Branch chose the Trojans over Ohio State, Alabama and Oklahoma.
In 2023, Branch became USC’s first ever true freshman First Team All-American. He was named a USA Today first team All-American as a returner, a PFF First Team All-American as a return specialist, and a Sporting News First Team All-American as a punt returner.
As noted in his online Trojan bio:
“He is the first Trojan since Adoree’ Jackson in 2016 to have a punt return and kickoff return for a TD, as well as at least one receiving TD in the same season.”
Branch’s Pedigree
Branch’s great uncle is the late Cliff Branch — the legendary Raiders wide receiver who is enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Speed runs in the family. Cliff Branch was a “world-class sprinter.” In 1972, he set an NCAA championship record in the 100 meter dash. During his pro football career, Branch was “the fastest man in the NFL.”
Branch’s Elite Speed
Branch is a member of the Trojans’ track and field team. His speed is next level, approaching the top speed reached by Usain Bolt.
As reported by OutKick Sports News in June 2023:
Zachariah Branch hopped on a treadmill late last week and hit the 26mph hour mark. Mecole Hardman and Stefon Diggs have reached 23mph, Brandon Marshall and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson have both hit 24mph, Ray Rice was running at 22 mph during his attempted NFL comeback, and it was a huge deal when Cardinals rookie Robert Gill hit 25mph.
USC’s newest 19-year-old wide receiver topped those speeds before his first fall camp even got underway.
To further contextualize just how fast that is, Usain Bolt’s record top speed is 27.33mph. That’s Usain Bolt.
VROOM, VROOM❕🏎️ 💨💨
Zachariah Branch 🔥
🎥 @VaBranch @On3USC #FightOn✌🏼 pic.twitter.com/7L4tRtNCDy
— Scott Schrader (@SSchraderOn3) June 15, 2023
Branch’s teammate, safety Max Williams, made the following remarks concerning Branch’s speed and elusiveness:
“He’s just dynamic. He’s a playmaker. He’s got the ability to make players miss[,] and he’s the fastest guy on the field.”
Branch’s Prospects for the 2024 Season
The Trojans are looking for Branch to “become a game-changing receiver” in 2024.
Zachariah Branch and Makai Lemon. pic.twitter.com/SWhdbdgzI6
— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) March 19, 2024
Per 247Sports:
“There will be a changing of the guard at wide receiver for USC in 2024. But if the Holiday Bowl was any indication, the Trojans are going to be just fine.
USC lost star talent from the group of wide receivers it fielded in 2023. Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice are headed for the NFL, and Dorian Singer transferred to Utah.
USC’s corps of wide receivers in 2024 includes:
- Zachariah Branch — 5’10”, 175 lbs., Sophomore
- Kyron Hudson — 6’1″, 205 lbs., Redshirt Junior
- Xavier Jordan — 6’1″, 185 lbs., Freshman
- Ja’Kobi Lane — 6’4″, 195 lbs., Sophomore
- Makai Lemon — 5’11”, 190 lbs., Sophomore
- Jaden Richardson — 6’1″, 210 lbs., Redshirt Senior
- Duce Robinson — 6’6″, 215 lbs., Sophomore
The projected starting receivers for the 2024 season are Branch, Robinson, and Lane — a trio of true sophomores.
247Sports forecasts significant playing time for multiple members of the group of Trojan wide receivers:
Expect Branch, Robinson, Lane, Lemon and Hudson to all play meaningful snaps when healthy. There’s a good chance Tufts transfer Jaden Richardson gets into the rotation too. Behind them is freshman Xavier Jordan.
Of course, Branch will be showcased not only as a receiver, but also a return specialist.
Branch’s kick-returning prowess during the 2023 season turned heads. Indeed, Matt Zemek of Yahoo Sports directly recommended that USC opponents avoid kicking the ball to Branch:
The value of a great kick returner seems obvious on the surface, but it’s more than just the ability to deliver instant production.
The value of a great kick returner transcends the quick touchdown on a day when the offense needs help. Long kick returns are unexpected bonuses in football games. They don’t happen every day. However, when an elite kick returner comes along and repeatedly scores the way Zachariah Branch of USC does, it’s a game-changer.
Branch has demonstrated multiple times how electric he is in the open field, and how consistently he can make the first man miss. This is a brilliant kick returner, the kind of athlete who should instantly force opposing teams to not kick to him.
Teams began heeding that advice. However, Head Coach Lincoln Riley expressed hope that teams would not continue the trend of kicking away from Branch.
When teams do kick to Branch, it is must-watch entertainment.
For more related sports news, focused primarily on the USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams, follow me at @vshjah_Victor.