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Zachariah Branch is a new On3 5-star

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•02/24/22•

ErikTMcKinney

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Zachariah Branch (Sam Spiegelman)

USC wide receiver commit Zachariah Branch will be one of the new On3 five-star recruits when the 2023 On300 rankings are updated on Monday.

Branch is currently the No. 12 overall recruit in the On300 rankings and the. top-ranked four-star prospect. A bump up to five stars is not much of a surprise. He is the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver.

The 5-foot-9, 166-pound Branch just got done putting on a show at the Battle Las Vegas 7-on-7 tournament this past weekend. He is one of the nation’s most dynamic offensive weapons with or without the ball in his hands. As a junior this past fall, he caught 48 passes for 1,094 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Should quarterback Malachi Nelson remain a five-star prospect, as very much expected, the Trojans will hold two commitments from five-star recruits at this point in the process. Nelson is currently the No. 2 overall prospect in the On300 rankings.

Zachariah Branch Scouting Report

Here is the On3 Scouting Report for new five-star receiver 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.”

USC Wide Receiver Recruiting

USC already holds commitments from Branch and four-star wide receiver Makai Lemon. The Trojans are also in the mix for four-star prospects Brandon Inniss and DeAndre Moore Jr.

There are a number of other wide receiver prospects looking at USC as well. However it shakes out, the haul at the offensive skill positions for the Trojans in this class should be impressive. And Branch will be a big part of that.

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Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

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