USC Football: Wide Receivers Coach Raves About Zachariah Branch

The kid is special...

The USC Trojans football team has seen an abundance of quality wide receivers come through the program over the years. It has been one of their more consistent bread-and-butter development positions, and it has continued to this day.

Now, the Trojans have a new batch of young wide receivers that they can help turn into strong weapons to work with. USC does a great job of prepping guys to be sucessful in college and at the professional level.

Entering the year, there were some questions about how this current group would work out. And through three games, things seem seamless for the Trojans. But one member of the receiving core has stood out among the others, and that would be freshman Zachariah Branch.

Trojans wide receiver coach Dennis Simmons spoke on the freshman and what he brings to the table.

“He’s different. I mean he’s not you know he’s not your you know six two six anything as far as height wise, but I mean he’s as strong as an ox. He plays strong and he’s as fast as lightning.”

Per Dennis Simmons

Branch lit up the college football world with his debut game against San Jose State, putting up four catches for 58 yards and one touchdown. He also added a kickoff return for 96 yards and another score. Branch was also given one rushing attempt that went for 12 yards and another touchdown.

“He’s different.”@CoachSimmonsSC on @zachariahb03 #TrojansLive X @MonsterEnergy pic.twitter.com/v9WRe7QoT6

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) September 13, 2023

It was an electrifying start to his career and one that nobody will forget. He followed up with another strong game this past weekend against Stanford, where he returned another 75-yard punt for a score.

It helped him win the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week award. His ability to spark this team is unlike anything USC has seen in quite some time, and it just speaks to his incredible skill set.