Zachariah Branch has a chance to make a big impression in the Holiday Bowl

Zachariah Branch has a lot to prove against Louisville.

Zachariah Branch is just getting started. The freshman star at USC recorded 29 receptions for 311 yards and two touchdowns in the 2023 season. He also rushed for 70 yards on 8 carries with 1 TD.

Branch is also one of the nation’s most electric returners. Against Stanford on Sept. 9, he returned a punt for a 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He also had a 96-yard kickoff return for a score versus San Jose State on Aug. 26. He is the first Trojan since Adoree’ Jackson in 2016 to have a punt return and kickoff return for a touchdown, as well as at least one receiving TD, in the same season. Jackson had two punt returns and two kickoff returns for TDs and one touchdown reception in the 2016 season.

Branch finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the nation in punt returns (20.6), No. 2 in the nation in combined kick returns (751) and punt return TDs (1), and No. 6 in the nation in kickoff return TDs (1).

Branch was named to the USA TODAY All-America First Team as a returner and the PFF All-America First Team as a return specialist. He is USC’s first-ever true freshman First Team All-American.

Next stop: San Diego for the Holiday Bowl. Zachariah Branch can make a statement heading into a very important offseason for him and the Trojans.

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