Zachariah Branch is staying busy in a pivotal year at USC

Zachariah Branch has a lot to learn about marrying athleticism with precision in 2024.

USC Trojans wide receiver and return specialist Zachariah Branch is a busy man. As you might have heard, he chose to join the USC track and field team this season.

The freshman from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High School was a bonafide superstar in 2023 when healthy. He had 29 receptions for 311 yards and 2 TDs during the season. He also rushed for 70 yards on 8 carries with 1 TD.

Branch is USC’s first-ever true freshman First Team All-American. He was also named to the USA TODAY All-American First Team as a kick returner.

Additionally, he was named a Sports Illustrated Second Team All-American as a kick returner, a CBS Sports Honorable Mention All-American as a wide receiver/punt returner, a College Football News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American as a wide receiver, the College Football Network Freshman Specialist of the Year as a punt returner, and a College Football Network Freshman All-American.

Branch’s big goal for 2024 on the football field: Channel his athleticism and upside into the flow of games and the structure of Lincoln Riley’s offense. If Branch can significantly evolve as a route-runner, USC’s wide receiver group could really take off and approach the standard set by Jordan Addison and others in 2022.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. Follow our newest sites, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.