Zion Branch is Healthy and Looking to Contribute to an Improved USC Defense

USC’s 2022 high school recruiting class was very small but it was supposed to be extremely impactful right away at the top. Instead, Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Domani Jackson, four-star safety Zion Branch and four-star running back Raleek Brown all dealt with injuries during their true freshmen seasons and were limited to varying degrees. Branch missed the season entirely as a lower leg injury early in summer workouts sidelined him completely.

But he’s back on the field this spring. And so is all the hope of the significant impact he could make when he signed with the Trojans as the No. 61 overall prospect and No. 7 safety in the 2022 recruiting class.

Branch said he’s fully healthy and “good to go” for spring ball. When asked what that first fully padded practice felt like, Branch smiled.

“Man,” he said. “Ya’ll can only imagine…Being back on the field, I’m feeling really good right now.”

Branch did suit up for games last season and was eventually able to take part in some of the light individual warm-up work with the safeties. While that’s not something that injured players typically do, especially when they aren’t available to play in the game, Branch said he wanted to keep that connection with his teammates.

“I wanted to be out there with my boys every Saturday,” Branch said. “It hurt me a lot that I couldn’t. Getting to suit up every Saturday with my boys and getting to go out there was the main thing, getting that game day experience for me.”

Finding the Silver Lining in the Injury

Like many players who miss a season due to injury, Branch looked for and found ways to make use of that time. He attacked rehab and put himself ahead of schedule with the help of USC’s trainers. He also said his first extended time away from the field in his career allowed him to learn a bit about himself and how much he loves the game. Branch was also able to dive into the defensive system and really soak it all in during his first year.

“My main focus was learning the system, getting to know everything, the ins and outs of the defense,” Branch said. “I definitely feel like I learned a lot throughout this offseason and throughout that season too. It definitely was beneficial for me.”

Taking on a Versatile Safety Role

USC returns several safeties who played big minutes last season. Calen Bullock earned All-America honors and led the team with five interceptions. Max Williams started at two different safety positions and finished the season with a team-high 79 tackles. And Bryson Shaw came on during the year to secure a starting spot and a conference Defensive Player of the Week award for his play at Arizona.

But it’s safe to say that the tackling and coverage from the safety positions need to bump up a level or two in 2023. Branch is someone who brings athleticism and physical ability to help there. But where exactly he helps is still undecided.

Branch said he’s playing all three safety spots right now.

“Especially not being able to play this offseason really gave me a chance to learn from each and every player we have,” Branch said, mentioning Bullock and others. “I really soaked up a lot of knowledge from each and every safety spot.”

Branch said it makes absolutely no difference to him which one he plays.

“I’m just trying to get on the field,” he said. “Anywhere.”

And consider him another USC player who believes the Trojans should field a much different-performing defense in 2023 compared to 2022.

“I can’t wait to get out there with my boys and show what I can do,” Branch said.