How Zachariah Branch showed flashes of Reggie Bush during USC debut

Zachariah Branch was electric, there’s no doubt about it. The USC freshman wide receiver emulated Reggie Bush Saturday night, according to On3’s J.D. PicKell.

Catching a touchdown and taking one back on a kickoff was enough to chalk it up to a fantastic debut for Branch. USC defeated San Jose State 56-28.

PicKell was practically blown away by Branch’s debut for the Trojans.

“He is electric, personified,” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “I mean, what he did yesterday with the kickoff return that looked like Reggie Bush and that’s a big statement. Now, I’m not the only one saying that, that was kind of the feel you got watching him run that kick back yesterday, also caught a touchdown. He was a top five player in the country for us here at On3 … 

“Zachariah Branch for those of you, like I said, that have kind of kept up with him a little bit, this wasn’t enormously surprising. It’s easy, I think, to see what he did and say, oh, good for that freshman. He’s going to be good for a long time at USC. Good debut for him. I don’t think this was just a freshman making a strong debut.”

Branch finished the game with four catches, 58 yards and a touchdown in his debut. He also had a 12 yard run during the game. Not only that, he took a kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown.

“You could tell by watching him … there was something special sprinkled into what Zachariah Branch did yesterday,” PicKell said. “To look so in control, to look so comfortable, to be so dynamic, so explosive. That kick return he ran back is a perfect example. He looks so comfortable and in control. You don’t see that from freshmen.

“You don’t see that from guys walking out there for their first ever start. I don’t care who it’s against whether it’s San Jose State or whether it’s against Alabama. That was a special performance yesterday from Zachariah Branch. And I think it’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

Head coach Lincoln Riley was hyped for Branch after the game. Based on what he was at the high school level and projected to be in college, the debut should be no surprise.

As a member of the Class of 2023, Branch was a five-star recruit out of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 wide receiver in the class and the No. 4 overall prospect in the class.

“Ge’s gonna be really good for a long time at USC,” PicKell said. “First Trojan player I believe since Adoree Jackson to have a kickoff return and a touchdown reception in the same game … He’s got that hold your breath factor every time he touches the rock. And this won’t be the last time we see this from him. Zachariah Branch is going to be a staple I believe in the USC offensive game plan and will be a staple obviously in their special teams approach going forward.”