USC freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch had a stellar first season with the program. During his 11 appearances, he showcased his weapons as a receiver and a kickoff/punt specialist. A five-star recruit and the No.1 ranked wide receiver per 247Sports, it was believed he would offer something in year one. However, being an early devy pick in startups and supplement drafts, fantasy players would have been satisfied with his first season in college. With several players departing to the NFL, Branch has an opportunity to be the leading player on the offense this season.
Zachariah Branch 2023 Stats And Production
In his first game, Zachariah Branch exploded onto the scene. After a 25-yard touchdown catch, he wiggled and accelerated to a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown. It was the beginning of the buzz around the electric receiver.
His season stats indicate his productivity for the team in several areas. He collected 31 catches for 320 yards. Branch also rushed for 70 yards on nine carries. As USC’s return specialist, he tallied 442 yards on 24 kickoff returns and 332 yards on 16 punt returns. He scored a rushing touchdown in each area, totaling five on the season. Branch finished with numerous Freshman All-American, true freshman All-American, and First Team All-American honors as a return specialist by various media sites.
After a fantastic start to the season, Branch’s production did tail off a little. This coincided with the Trojans being down in several games, with quarterback Caleb Williams targeting his veteran receivers more frequently. Despite this, it was still a solid first season for Branch.
Zachariah Branch 2024 Devy Outlook
After a successful freshman season, Branch is primed to increase his workload in 2024. With Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice now in the NFL and Mario Williams transferring out, starting roles are opening up, with Branch set to take one. Alongside fellow sophomores Duce Robinson, Makai Lemon, and Ja’Kobi Lane, the USC wide receiver group is exciting.
The Trojans may not have the IT factor in Caleb Williams as the quarterback in 2024, but they do have projected starter Miller Moss. He does not offer Williams’s quality, but he looks efficient enough that the drop-off isn’t too heavy for the likes of Branch. Moss is not the guaranteed starter, so we will see how that develops for the week 1 game.
In his sophomore season, he will compete with three other talented second-year players, but Branch has the beating of them all for production. He offers that elite breakaway explosiveness to make defensive players miss, and his breakaway speed turns small-yard plays into scoring ones. His versatility to receive the ball anywhere on the field, including as a runner, helps propel him to the clear No.1 playmaker on the team.
Branch has also undergone a body transformation this off-season, adding plenty of muscle mass. This will hopefully help him when it comes to contact, which was a problem when a defender tried to get near him.
Final Thoughts
Picked up in every devy startup or supplemental draft before the 2023 season started, Zachariah Branch did everything you wanted as a freshman. He is a versatile weapon, with his ability to get on the field in other roles due to the excitement he brings with the ball in hand.
With a good year one under his belt, devy owners want to see a step up in 2024. Can Branch still produce with the departed Caleb Williams gone? Can he see more production as a wide receiver, not just a returns specialist? He must answer these questions to show Devy players and the NFL that he can thrive in any situation.
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