Georgia makes portal splash, lands commitments from Zachariah and Zion Branch
Few names in the transfer portal are more recognizable than Zachariah Branch. The USC wide receiver once considered a five-star plus+ prospect and the top-ranked pass catcher in his 2023 recruiting class announced a commitment to Georgia on Sunday alongside his brother Zion Branch, a safety, to give the Bulldogs a big splash and additions at multiple positions of need.
Zachariah ranked as the No. 3 player in the transfer portal according to On3 behind Washington State quarterback John Mateer (Oklahoma commit) and Georgia Tech wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (Auburn commit). He was the top uncommitted prospect.
In two years at USC, Zachariah caught 78 passes for a total of 823 yards. He tied for the team-high in receptions this past season with 47 grabs, going for 503 yards and a trip to the end zone. On top of that, he’s been among the nation’s best as a returner taking two kicks (one punt, one kickoff) for touchdowns in 2023.
As for Zion, a pair of significant injuries limited his impact with the Trojans. In 19 games across three seasons, Zion totaled 41 tackles including three for loss with one sack. He defended three passes and forced a fumble as well. Zion, like his brother, was a coveted player coming out of Bishop Gorman High School as a top-100 prospect in the Class of 2022.
The Branch brothers visited Georgia just prior to the start of the dead period in late December and reconnected with several coaches in Athens they previously had relationships with. Wide receivers coach James Coley played a part for Zachariah in an attempt to land him at Texas A&M. Meanwhile, Zion knew cornerbacks coach Donte Williams from his time at USC, where Williams coached defensive backs from 2020 until 2023. Georgia player connection coordinator David Hill also knew both as a fellow Las Vegas native.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Sam Huard
Former 5-star QB Big Ten bound
- 2New
Cotton Bowl weather threat
Statement on pending snow
- 3
Paul Finebaum
In loss, Georgia became new Alabama
- 4
Texas AD blasts rumors
Sarkisian, NFL links draw response
- 5Hot
AP Poll
Hoops Top 25 shakeup
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Both Zachariah and Zion are big additions for the Bulldogs considering where UGA stands at their respective positions, looking to overhaul its receiver room with several multi-season contributors departing and in need of bodies at safety with Dan Jackson out of eligibility, Malaki Starks likely off to the NFL and multiple players entering the transfer portal already.
Zachariah has two years of eligibility left upon his arrival in Athens. So too does Zion, who redshirted during his first year at USC due to an injury that occurred during fall camp.
More on the transfer portal…
The NCAA student-athlete transfer portal launched in 2018. It marked a change from when student-athletes had to get a release from their school to transfer to another and they could be limited as to where they transferred. The portal allows student athletes to simply notify their current school and its compliance department that they intend to move on to another program.
Last season, Georgia lost 21 scholarship players to the portal, watching several end up at power conference programs around the country. The Bulldogs did add to their talent however, as they’ve done before. Adding to the likes of Lawrence Cager, Tre McKitty, Derion Kendrick, Tykee Smith, Dominic Lovett and others that have joined the program in the past, UGA brought in Trevor Etienne, Colbie Young, London Humphreys, Ben Yurosek, Xzavier McLeod and others that have had an impact on the Bulldogs’ 2024 campaign.
For more Georgia athletics coverage, be sure to check out the DawgsHQ YouTube channel where you can find press conferences, player interviews, podcasts and more!
