On3 Roundtable: All eyes on Zachariah Branch, breakout players to watch for USC in 2023

If there is one thing Lincoln Riley has attracted to Los Angeles, it’s playmakers. And when you bring Caleb Williams into the program, you may as well load him up with weapons. USC is stacked from top to bottom at wide receiver — and even tight end — heading into the 2023 season.

WeAreSC‘s Scott Schrader believes the one name to watch is Zachariah Branch. He joined the On3 Roundtable to discuss how talented Branch is, with Riley planning on using the true freshman in different facets of the game.

“This is the guy to watch,” Schrader said. “There is absolutely no doubt. He’s going to be involved in moving them all over the field offensively. He will be involved in all aspects of the special teams, return game. So, he will be a big part of it.”

Branch played high school football at Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gormon, 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.

The scouting report on Branch is insane, proving to be one of the best wide receiver prospects in a long time. But there is one thing you cannot teach and that’s effort. Schrader says Branch will take every rep seriously — similar to a former USC receiver.

“It didn’t matter what environment he was in,” Schrader said on Branch competing at camps as a high schooler. “He is one of those guys that reminds me of Amon-Ra St. Brown. He and I could be at the beach, going one on one, and it would be like the Super Bowl to Zachariah Branch. That’s the way I used to feel about Amon-Ra St. Brown.”

USC to rely on experienced players

Branch will have a ton of eyeballs on him but if one player is going to step up from Day One, Schrader believes it’s Dorian Singer. The Arizona transfer was brought to USC after an outstanding sophomore season in the desert. The Trojans got a first-hand experience of how special of a player he can be.

“When we are talking about this topic on our site, we bring up Dorian Singer to start the conversation,” Schrader said. “He was the guy we saw play against USC last year. Was probably the most dominant football player on the field that night in Tuscon. He had an outstanding full season with Arizona last year.”

Singer caught seven passes for 141 yards and three touchdowns against USC on Oct. 29. Nobody, on either side, had a more productive day even though the Trojans wound up 45-37 winners.

Enough about the newcomers though, as plenty of production is returning for 2023. Tahj Washington is someone Schrader wishes got more respect across the country. He ran second last season behind Jordan Addison, having 50 receptions for 785 yards and six touchdowns.

“Guy we don’t talk about enough and I don’t think he gets enough respect — Tahj Washington,” Schrader said. “Now, he’s not a younger guy, this is his final year at USC. This is one of the neatest guys I have ever met. Last year, he was just ultra-productive.

“I would expect him to be just as productive, if not more, this year. Compliment that with Brenden Rice, who was probably the second-leading receiver last year. You got Mario Williams returning.”

Non-Zachariah Branch freshman playmakers standing out

Okay, now we’re back to the newcomers.

Branch is not the only weapon Riley brought in through the 2023 recruiting class. Injuries have held Makai Lemon back in spring but is expected to be ready for fall camp. Once he gets into the groove, USC will have another young pup ready to break out.

“Makai Lemon could sneak in there and make an impact as a true freshman too,” Schrader said. “He’s just been hampered by injuries that haven’t really let him practice as much as some of the other guys. He’s a dog and he could be a guy that gets in there as well.”

And then you know Riley loves himself a few red zone threats. None are going to be bigger than freshmen Ja’Kobi Lane and Duce Robinson. Their frames alone will make it difficult for Riley to keep them off the field, adding to the matchup nightmares defensive coordinators are going to have.

“A couple more freshmen that are going to come in and be red zone problems with their 6-5, 6-6 height,” Schrader said.

The recipe for Riley has been simple since taking over at Oklahoma in 2017. To make the College Football Playoff, you first have to have a Heisman Trophy-caliber quarterback. You can check that off with Williams.

Elite skill position players must be there as well though. This might be Riley’s best group since becoming a head coach, making for a make-or-break year for the Trojans.