Zachariah Branch announces his presence with a sensational debut

From his very first spring ball practice with the Trojans, it was obvious that true freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch was going to have a role and make an impact on the USC team this season. The only questions were how quickly he’d make his presence felt and how significant would his impact be.

Branch answered those by upstaging a four-touchdown performance from the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in his very first college game.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound true freshman was electric for the Trojans on Saturday night. In a 56-28 win against San Jose State, Branch recorded the first offensive touch of the game for the Trojans, led USC in receiving, scored the first touchdown of his college career and became the first USC players since Adoree’ Jackson in 2016 to record a receiving and kickoff return touchdown in the same game. He also became the first USC true freshman to record a kickoff touchdown since Jackson did it in 2014.

“Our coaches always told us to you know, just trust our instincts, trust our process and just go out there and execute,” Branch said. “Once I touched the endzone, the crowd turned me up a little bit.”

That Branch said anything after the game at all is notable. Head coach Lincoln Riley is not known for having true freshmen speak to the media. But there Branch was, sitting at the podium to Riley’s left after his very first game.

“It’s not freshmen, it’s not seniors in there, it’s just USC football players now and felt like that he earned it,” Riley said. “Made an impact on offense. Made an impact on special teams. I thought he did a good job not trying to do too much, which, guys in their first game sometimes will do.”

Branch finished with four receptions for 58 yards and a score on offense. The touchdown came on a short pass from Caleb Williams where Branch made multiple defenders miss in open space. He had 232 all-purpose yards in the game. San Jose State running back Quali Conley was second in that stat for the game, though 36 of his 125 all-purpose yards came on the game’s final play.

Branch’s Kickoff Return Magic

Branch had a few big plays, but none more so than the 96-yard kickoff return at the end of the third quarter. San Jose State had just scored to cut USC’s lead to 35-21 and the Trojans were in need of a spark.

Branch caught the kickoff at the four-yard line and took a few slow steps before bursting up the middle and then cutting to the outside. He made one final cutback at the 20-yard line and finished with a jog into the endzone.

“You saw a lot of patience there, which was key,” Riley said. “We talked about trusting going into this first game. That was a great example of that.”

Branch’s teammates have been talking about his talent and work ethic ever since he showed up on campus. Tahj Washington had a good view of the kickoff return while serving as his lead blocker. But nothing about what Branch did surprised him.

“He’s just himself,” Washington said. “He’s been showing that day in and day out. It was great to see everybody get to see what he’s been doing.”

Rush end Jamil Muhammad said he “just knew” Branch was going to return a kick for a touchdown in that game. But Muhammad didn’t have the best view of the return. He was also on the field, but engaged with a would-be tackler. Branch streaked by him at about the 18-yard line and then got the commentary from the Spartan he was blocking.

“The guy I was blocking was like, ‘Oh, he’s gone,'” Muhammad said. “I wish I had the clip. That’s why I turned around and was like, ‘Oh yeah, he out.’ We both watched it. He enjoyed it as much as I did.”

Finding Comparisons

Muhammad said Branch has been a point of debate in the USC locker room. He’s obviously going to get comparisons to Reggie Bush, another USC star on offense and special teams. The Adoree’ Jackson comparisons are here now. But Muhammad said the Trojans don’t limit it to just past USC players.

Muhammad said his comparison is former Oregon star De’Anthony Thomas. Other USC players say he’s a young Tavon Austin, the former West Virginia star.

“He’s talented, man,” Muhammad said. “It’s wild. It’s going to be scary.”

Muhammad said Branch doesn’t take part in picking out comparisons.

“He just sits there and laughs at us,” Muhammad said. “He’s young…I don’t even think he knows what he did tonight. But I do.”