USC’s Zachariah Branch named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week

There goes that man! #USC has a speed merchant who knows how to get past the first wave of defenders on kick returns.

USC freshman wide receiver  Zachariah Branch was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in USC’s 56-10 victory over Stanford.

Branch was electric in USC’s Week 2 win. His performance was highlighted by an electric 75-yard punt return to extend USC’s lead over the Cardinal to 35-0 early in the second quarter. Branch has returned multiple kicks for touchdowns in his first three games as a Trojan.

Branch also caught 4 passes for 30 yards against Stanford.

Pac-12 Network color commentator Yogi Roth compared Branch’s outstanding talent to USC legend Reggie Bush.

“I mean, look, it’s going to sound like big praise, but we haven’t seen a guy do something like that on special teams since No. 5 was here,” Roth said. “And everyone listening knows who No. 5 was. Zachariah Branch has a big career to see what he can do. But that speed, that vision, that confidence that young, that’s what Reggie was doing as a true freshman.”

Check out our Pac-12 football predictions roundtable for the 2023 season.