USC Trojans Transfer Portal: Zachariah Branch, Zion Branch To Visit Arizona State

USC Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch and safety Zion Branch are on the move after entering their names into the transfer portal on Dec. 17. After visiting Georgia Bulldogs, the brothers are now expected to visit the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans have been making moves in the transfer portal, picking up a few high profile defensive linemen. The Trojans have also seen notable defections to the transfer portal such as wide receiver Zachariah Branch and safety Zion Branch.

The two brothers entered the portal on Dec. 17 and have already visited Georgia and now they are expected to visit Arizona State, according to Chris Karpman of 247Sports.

Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans safety Zion Branch (8) against California Golden Bears tight end Jack Endries (87) during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Branch brothers aren't the first transfers out of USC to visit with Arizona State. Former USC wide receiver Duce Robinson took a visit to Tempe to check out the Big 12 champions.

Interestingly enough, Zachariah entered the portal with a "Do Not Contact" tag. Usually when players enter the transfer portal with that tag, it means they have a destination in mind prior to entering. However, with the brothers setting up multiple visits, it adds intrigue into their recruitment.

Both players are expected to land at their new school as a package deal.

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Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Coming out of high school, Zachariah was a five-star prospect and the No. 1 wide receiver in the class of 2023, and he to USC as a highly-regarded talent. His freshman season, he was named as an All-American as a kick returner, when he took back 16 kicks for 332 yards and a touchdown. He also contributed on offense, racking up 31 catches for 320 yards and two touchdowns.

This season, Branch had high preseason expectations and was thought to be a candidate for some hardware at the end of the season. Things never came together for the Nevada native despite posting better numbers compared to his freshman season. He ended this year off with 47 receptions for 503 yards and one touchdown.

The elder Branch brother, Zion, was been plagued by injuries during his time at USC, but managed to contribute when healthy. After a season-ending knee injury wiped out his freshman season in 2022, Branch has managed to accrue 41 tackles, three pass deflections, and one sack when on the field. He was rated as the No. 6 safety and No. 58 player in the class of 2022 coming out of Bishop Gorman High School. Branch's departure is a big blow to USC's already depleted secondary. The Trojans graduated eight defensive backs this past season and will look to the portal to fill out their depth.

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