Lincoln Riley details improvements made by Zachariah Branch

Zachariah Branch is arguably the most lethal return specialist in the country heading into the 2024 college football seaosn.

Despite earning First Team All-American honors as a true freshman as a returner, USC head coach Lincoln Riley is looking to utilize the speedy youngster in more than just a special teams role this fall.

Branch naturally plays wide receiver, so he’ll likely see some more touches out wide this season on top of his specialty duties.

“Zachariah Branch had really an exciting freshman year for us,” Riley said. “He’s an explosive player. Even when you’re used to being on the college football field and really talented players are somewhat the norm, he’s a little bit different in the way he moves and also his strength.

“He had a great year for us last year, especially as a returner, was one of the most dominant returners in the country, if not the most. We’ve really challenged him this year to become a bigger part and a more consistent part of our offense. I think that is really going to be part of his evolution.”

Branch did as well as any wideout for the Trojans last season. He caught 31 passes for 320 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2023, good for third best on the team and second best by any returning wideout.

While his strongest asset is to provide a touchdown threat on every return attempt, Riley wouldn’t be doing Branch’s skills justice if he doesn’t at least give him the opportunity to spread his wings and fly.

In one year, he’s seen massive improvements in the budding Swiss Army knife’s IQ, mentality and execution.

“Certainly I think he’s growing as a receiver, as a ball carrier, understanding offenses, understanding route running, understanding defenses, how we’re trying to attack people,” Riley continued. “There’s just a maturity and a growth process that we’ve really pushed him on, and I think he’s handled it well.

“We’ve got a really talented young group of receivers there. They got a chance to showcase their skills in the bowl game. Certainly had a really good spring and look forward to big things this season.”

Branch will look to prove his worth not only on kickoff and punt return, but also out wide in 2024 as USC’s offense looks to move forward from the Caleb Williams era and head into the Big Ten with just as strong of an offense.