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Zachariah Branch becomes first USC player with receiving, return touchdown since Adoree Jackson

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•08/26/23•

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Zachariah Branch
USC receiver Zachariah Branch at a spring practice session for the Trojans (Daniel Villagomez/WeAreSC)

Sure, the main storyline on Saturday night’s USC game was reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams getting back onto the field. An underrated one was going to be how often Lincoln Riley was going to get his young position players onto the field. The answer was soon and extremely often, especially Zachariah Branch.

Both at his natural position of wide receiver and in the return game, Branch has been incredible in his college football debut. He breezed through the San Jose State defense for a touchdown in the second half of the game. And then before the USC offense could even get back onto the field, the true freshman receiver took a kickoff back to the house, sending the Coliseum into a frenzy.

Branch is doing more than just putting numbers up — he’s making history during his first game with the Trojans. For the first time since Adoree Jackson did so in 2016, a USC player has a score on the receiving end and through the return game.

Difference between the two?

Jackson was a junior and in his final season before being a first-round selection of the Tennessee Titans in the 2017 NFL Draft. Branch was playing high school football this time last season and had never stepped onto a college field before Saturday night.

Zachariah Branch played high school football at Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman, where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

USC wound up getting the win on Saturday night and the final stat sheet from Branch is jaw-dropping. In four receptions, Branch went for 58 yards for an average of 14.5 yards per reception. Of course, he has a touchdown as well.

Branch starred on special teams with the return touchdown but also when San Jose State punted the ball. Two attempts turned into 47 yards as the freshman star caused a headache for the Spartans for all four quarters.

Thankfully for the fans of college football, this is just night one of Branch. We are going to get plenty of more opportunities to see the wide receiver shine over the next three seasons. And if he is able to recreate similar stats when going up against Pac-12/Big Ten opponents, the accomplishments will become even more impressive.