Zion Branch is one small part of a bigger picture for the USC defense

Zion Branch didn’t get to help USC on the field last season. He’ll try to make up for lost time.

USC needs depth. USC needs bodies. USC needs reinforcements. All of these things are true about the Trojans’ defense, including in the secondary. Zion Branch can give the Trojans what they need.

Branch got injured in summer workouts before the 2022 college football season began. He was able to redshirt. It is worth noting that unlike a true freshman, he has been exposed to the program for a year. He knows what the coaches are asking of him and has been able to soak up the culture around the team. This isn’t a crash course; it’s a chance to apply what he learned as an injured observer last season.

“I feel 100,” Branch told 247Sports. “I’m good to go right now, you know. It was a long season, so this whole season, offseason, I was just training to get back and rehabbing. So, now I’m feeling great right now. Good to go.”

“I feel like I can help all around,” Branch said. “You know, last year getting to watch the defense really just helped me see a vision of where I can see myself contributing, but you know, anywhere to coaches need me I feel like I can field those spots.”

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