ZACHARIAH BRANCH NEWS

Scores TD in Week 12 Branch hauled in 6 of 9 targets for 41 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 28-20 win versus Nebraska.

Impact Branch resurfaced in the Trojans' offense for the second game in a row. Just like Week 10 versus Washington, the sophomore wideout logged nine targets. But he scored just his first touchdown of the season Saturday with a six-yard reception on the Trojans' third offensive series. His solid outing also came while playing with a new quarterback, as UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava made his first start of the season after replacing Miller Moss. Even though he hasn't had the breakout season that some were expecting, Branch has now accumulated a career-high 41 catches for 445 yards. He'll look to finish the year strong with back-to-back rivalry games against UCLA and Notre Dame.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Season-high output Week 10 Branch hauled in six of nine targets for 102 yards during Saturday's 26-21 loss to Washington.

Impact Branch eclipsed 100 receiving yards for the first time this season, and he matched his season-high for receptions this season. The sophomore hasn't quite lived up to expectations so far this season. But, he delivered with two explosive receptions of 20 and 42 yards against Washington. This production was likely due in part to USC having to claw back from a 20-7 halftime deficit, as quarterback Miller Moss came one passing attempt shy of his season-high of 51. Branch has now logged over 45 receiving yards in two of seven conference games this season, and this was his first time doing so since Week 4 versus Michigan. The 5-foot-10 wideout will look to break some more big plays when USC next plays versus a tough Nebraska defense on Saturday, Nov. 16.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Non-factor for second week in a row Branch had two receptions (on four targets) for six yards during Saturday's 33-30 overtime loss against Penn State.

Impact Branch logged season-lows across the board. The sophomore wideout had big expectations coming into this season after earning first-team All-American recognition during his true freshmancampaign. But, he's now recorded just five catches (on 10 targets) for just 16 yards over the last two games, and he's yet to record more than six catches or 100 receiving yards in any game this season. Branch has yet to really hit as the Trojans' go-to explosive pass-catcher this season, as he's logged only three receptions of more than 20 yards. With his production trailing off over the past two weeks, the 5-foot-10 wideout will hope to bounce back over the back-half of the season, starting with next week's game at Maryland.

OCTOBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Logs six targets versus Wisconsin Branch accrued four receptions (on six targets) for 44 yards during Saturday's 38-21 win over Wisconsin. He also rushed once for 15 yards.

Impact Branch had a comeback-to-earth game after seeing 12 targets during last week's loss to Michigan. Instead, the Trojans focused on exploiting their size mismatches on the outside versus Wisconsin, as quarterback Miller Moss went to 6-foot-4 wideout Ja'Kobi Lane for 13 targets Saturday. Moss has been spreading the ball around among this talented corps of receivers, though he's seemed to hone in on one specific target in a few games with Kyron Hudson in Week 1, Branch in Week 3 and Lane in Week 4. Nevertheless, Branch has been the most consistent target through four games, averaging 4.5 receptions on 7.3 targets per game. He's still yet to find the end zone this year, which could come during next Saturday's road game at Minnesota.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Logs six targets versus Wisconsin Branch accrued four receptions (on six targets) for 44 yards during Saturday's 38-21 win over Wisconsin. He also rushed once for 15 yards.

Impact Branch had a comeback-to-earth game after seeing 12 targets during last week's loss to Michigan. Instead, the Trojans focused on exploiting their size mismatches on the outside versus Wisconsin, as quarterback Miller Moss went to 6-foot-4 wideout Ja'Kobi Lane for 13 targets Saturday. Moss has been spreading the ball around among this talented corps of receivers, though he's seemed to hone in on one specific target in a few games with Kyron Hudson in Week 1, Branch in Week 3 and Lane in Week 4. Nevertheless, Branch has been the most consistent target through four games, averaging 4.5 receptions on 7.3 targets per game. He's still yet to find the end zone this year, which could come during next Saturday's road game at Minnesota.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Nearly hits 100 yards in loss Branch gathered in six of 12 targets for 98 yards during Saturday's 27-24 defeat against Michigan.

Impact Branch saw by far his most significant target share of the season, logging double-digit targets for the first time in his career. The sophomore increased usage was definitely correlated with the gamescript Saturday, as Trojans quarterback Miller Moss had to throw a season-high 51 passes while playing from behind for most of the game. Branch is now USC's leading receiver with 14 catches for 173 yards through three games. Tight end Lake McRee has been the team's second-most produtive receiver, though he's expected to miss some time after sustaining a lower-body injury versus Michigan. Branch and McRee fill different roles in this passing game, though the latter's absence figures to lead to more targets for Branch moving forward. It will be worth monitoring how the team's target share shakes out during this coming Saturday's home game versus Wisconsin.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Modest stat line Week 2 Branch gathered in four of five targets for 19 yards during Saturday's 48-0 win versus Utah State.

Impact Branch failed to get out and break any explosive plays in what was an easy win for the Trojans on Saturday. The 5-foot-10 speedster looked like one of the most explosive players in college football when he caught short passes with room to run during last week's win against LSU. While he figures to be used in a number of creative ways by head Lincoln Riley this season, Branch's production will likely depend mostly on whether he can break many long catch-and-runs week-to-week. That figures to be a tough proposition during conference play, which the Trojans begin on the road versus Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 21.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

USC Football News: Zachariah Branch's Freshman Season Shatters Records Zachariah Branch’s record-breaking freshman season at USC has set a new standard, drawing comparisons to NFL star Tyreek Hill.

SEPTEMBER 6 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Four catches in Week 1 Branch gathered in four of five targets for 56 yards during Sunday's 27-20 victory over LSU.

Impact Branch almost made numerous game-breaking plays in this back-and-forth matchup. The explosive sophomore was used mostly as an after-the-catch threat on quick throws and screen passes as the Trojans tried to out-scheme the Tigers' attacking defense. Branch also recorded a 46-yard kickoff return that likely would have resulted in a touchdown if LSU's kicker wasn't there to slow him down enough to be tackled from behind. The speedster finished tight with tight end Lake McRee for the team's second-most targets behind wideout Kyron Hudson (eight). With the exact hierarchy in this receiving corps still far from settled, it will be worth monitoring how the targets break out during next Saturday's game versus Utah State.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

USC's Zachariah, Zion Branch land college football's first Jordan Brand NIL deal

USC football players and brothers Zachariah and Zion Branch will become Jordan Brand’s first NIL college football endorsees.

AUGUST 26

USC wide receiver Zachariah Branch joined an elite group in 2023 Zachariah Branch needs to continue to be a high-impact player on kick returns, while improving as a receiver.

JULY 28 • USATODAY.COM

Zachariah Branch named to Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team Zachariah Branch is getting ample preseason publicity.

JULY 5 • USATODAY.COM

USC's Zachariah Branch among CBS' Top 100 players for 2024 season USC's star wideout is among the Top 100 players for the upcoming 2024 season via CBS.

APRIL 17 • 247SPORTS.COM

USC's Zachariah Branch earns NFL Draft nod from Pro Football Focus USC's Zachariah Branch earns some early NFL draft love.

MARCH 25 • 247SPORTS.COM

USC's Zachariah Branch talks growth as a receiver, Moss' leadership USC's electric receiver hopes to bring his special team wattage to the Trojan offense this season.

MARCH 21 • 247SPORTS.COM

USC's Zachariah Branch, Bear Alexander opt in for EA Sports College Football 25 The EA Sports College Football game will have some prominent USC players.

FEBRUARY 27 • 247SPORTS.COM

Star receiver Zachariah Branch official joins USC's track and field program USC wide receiver Zachariah Branch joins the track and field squad.

FEBRUARY 9 • 247SPORTS.COM

USC's Zachariah Branch named to ESPN's Way-Too-Early All-American team for 2024 USC's star receiver has some early buzz for another All-American honor.

JANUARY 25 • 247SPORTS.COM

USC's Zachariah Branch wins Jet Award given annually to nation's most outstanding return specialist Branch returned 24 kicks for 442 yards and a touchdown in 2023. As a punt returner, Branch had 13 returns on the season for 332 yards and a...

JANUARY 12 • 247SPORTS.COM

Zachariah Branch breaks down how USC football can improve kick returns Cal and Washington did a good job of slowing down Branch and the Trojan kick return team in USC's last two games.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

No. 14 Utah hits last-second field goal for 34-32 victory over No. 18 USC

Cole Becker made a 38-yard field goal as time expired, and No. 14 Utah blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter before rallying for a thr...

OCTOBER 22, 2023

Midseason freshman All-America team: Caleb Downs, Zachariah Branch and more In the current climate, it's especially impressive when young players break through and start shining early in their careers.

OCTOBER 19, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

USC's Zachariah Branch, Calen Bullock earn midseason All-American honors Two USC Trojans earned midseason All-American nods.

OCTOBER 18, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM