Zachariah Branch is one of the many USC Trojans who put pen to paper as the early signing period began on Wednesday. Branch is a star in two sports, running a 10.3 100-meter time in track – good enough to win the Nevada 5A regional championship. As a junior, Branch racked up 1,094 receiving yards and 14 TDs on just 48 receptions.
He’s the brother of former Bishop Gorman and USC four-star safety Zion Branch. Zachariah Branch has even drawn comparisons to NFL top receiver Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins.
Lincoln Riley was asked about Zachariah Branch in an early signing period news conference on Wednesday. Riley had a chance to give his first evaluations of USC players as newly-signed Trojans who are now officially part of the program and will participate in an eagerly-watched spring ball session a few months from now.
Riley’s response will certainly get USC fans excited:
#USC HC Lincoln Riley called WR Zachariah Branch's explosiveness "really, really unique."
Said he's one of the very few that you come across over several years that has that explosiveness and the combination of his football acumen.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) December 21, 2022
It’s official, I am now signed !! https://t.co/NYMM2gJrs5
— Zachariah “ease” Branch (@zachariahb03) December 21, 2022
His speed jumps out immediately, but what makes him special is his competitiveness. The 5’10- 172 pound receiver plays way bigger than his stature. I could see Branch getting a lot of snaps during the 2023 season as a true freshman.
USC is loaded at WR with Makai Lemon, Mario Williams, Tahj Washington, Brenden Rice, Michael Jackson III, CJ Williams and Dorian Singer, but expect Lincoln Riley to use all of the talented wideouts in an offense that will be potentially better than last season.
Malachi Nelson and Zachariah Branch make it official, leading the 2023 USC class
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