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USC Trojans' Zachariah Branch, Zion Branch Enter Transfer Portal: Former Teammate Shocking Reaction

The USC Trojans have taken yet another gut punch in the transfer portal. Wide receiver Zachariah Branch and safety Zion Branch are transferring per ESPN's Pete Thamel. The brothers are expected to be a package deal for wherever they transfer.

Cory Pappas

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
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
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The USC Trojans continue to get decimated in the transfer portal. Wide receiver Zachariah Branch and safety Zion Branch announced on Tuesday afternoon that they would be transferring per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. This is a huge loss for coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans.

It is expected that the brothers will end up transferring to the same school.

Branch Brothers Enter Transfer Portal

Zachariah and Zion Branch have both entered the transfer portal. These are massive departures for a Trojans team that has already been hit hard by departing players. 

Zachariah Branch was one of the most hyped up players for USC ever since he signed with them out of high school prior to the 2023 season. Zachariah was a five-star prospect and was ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver in the class of 2023. In his two years with the Trojans, Branch hauled in 78 receptions for 823 yards and 3 touchdowns. While he hasn’t produced gaudy numbers, Branch has shown flashes of how good he can be. His potential is through the roof. 

Zion Branch singed with USC out of high school for the 2022 season. He was rated as a four-star prospect and ranked the No. 6 safety in the class of 2022. In his time with the Trojans, Branch had 41 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. 

Former USC Trojans cornerback from 2022-2023 Domani Jackson commented on the news. Jackson transferred from USC to Alabama following the 2023 season.

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Trojans Lose More Key Players to Portal

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Notre Dam
Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Here’s a jarring stat about Lincoln Riley since taking over at USC. Out of Riley’s top 15 recruits landed in his first two years at the helm, 10 of them have entered the transfer portal. 

That cannot happen. USC won’t be able to compete in a a conference like the Big Ten if the continue to lose their top players. Just in the past couple weeks on the offensive side of the ball alone, the Trojans have lost wide receivers Zachariah Branch, Duce Robinson, and Kyron Hudson. Riley spoke last week about the amount of USC players that have entered the portal.

“We’re a college model that’s becoming a professional model,” Riley said. “I know some people don’t want to say it here. It is what is is.”

NIL and the portal have completely changed the game when it comes to developing players and building a program. 

“The reality is there’s just some guys that you either can’t or are not going to pay what they want,” Riley said. “If your value doesn’t match the money then it’s not going to go well much longer.” 

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Cory Pappas
CORY PAPPAS

Cory Pappas is sports writer for USC Trojans On SI and Oregon Ducks On SI. Since starting in March of 2024, he has been writing breaking news stories, game previews, game recaps, and more across College Sports, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics for Total Apex Sports. In addition to writing, Cory is also a sports data scout for Sportradar. He covers live sporting events ranging from college athletics to semi-pro and professional. Before joining the industry, Cory graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022. He ran track for Oregon's club Track and Field team. Before Oregon, he played varsity basketball and track and field in high school in Walnut Creek, CA. Cory is using his lifelong passion for sports and writing together.

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