USC Five-Star Plus+ WR signee Zachariah Branch records 92 yard punt return touchdown
Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Zachariah Branch is one of the most dynamic players in the 2023 cycle. The USC signee showcased why on Tuesday night in the Under Armour All-America Game.
Branch caught a punt deep in his own red zone. He then outran multiple defenders and weaved his way through traffic for the score.
“Man, I just looked the ball off the punter’s foot and I ran (with) my blocks,” Branch said to ESPN after his score. “And I knew I was going to the house. I had to make it up for that first one.”
“This is Zachariah Branch, the No. 1 returner in the country,” Washington (D.C.) Archbishop Carroll five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor said afterwards. “You see what he did. He makes it look easy out there.”
Branch is the No. 4 overall prospect and No. 1 wide receiver in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player from Nevada
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The five-star committed to the Trojans on Dec. 24, 2021. He is currently the second-highest-ranked prospect in USC’s 2023 recruiting class behind Los Alamitos (Calif.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback signee Malachi Nelson, the No. 2 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus.
Branch has an On3 NIL Valuation of $477K. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.
Zachariah Branch On3 Scouting Summary
The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Zachariah Branch:
“One of the more dynamic receiver prospects in the nation, regardless of class. Built like a traditional slot wide receiver at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds. An elite track athlete with a 10.33 second 100 meter mark and a 24 foot long jump as a sophomore. Is able to harness that speed on the football field with his high-end change of direction. Creates big plays as a deep threat and after the catch. Very difficult for defenders to tackle in space.
“A fluid mover with route-running and true wide receiver skills in addition to the considerable athleticism. Shows good ball skills with the ability to track and make extended catches in traffic. Plays at powerhouse Bishop Gorman and was a standout performer in four games against national competition in addition to the state title game. Looks like one of the best sub 5-foot-11 wide receiver prospects in several cycles.”