![Zachariah Branch USC Football Track Field](https://brobible.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Zachariah-branch-usc-track-field-football.jpg?w=1083)
With the 2024 college football season on the horizon, USC might have the most explosive player in the country on its offense. Zachariah Branch is a real-life cheat code on par with guys like Tavon Austin, Reggie Bush and Devin Hester and he got even better while away from the team during the offseason.
Those are some lofty comparisons but the rising sophomore’s ability to get loose is elite.
Branch, a five-star prospect, was the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the recruiting Class of 2023 and a top-10 prospect overall. The 5-foot-10 speedster arrived to Los Angeles with high expectations. He immediately exceeded them in his first game with four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, one carry for 12 yards, a 96-yard kick return touchdown, and 66 yards on three punt returns.
His freshman year as a whole was electric!
As fun as Branch is to watch, the rising sophomore is not concerned about his stats. Winning is the only thing that matters. Whatever he can do to help the team is most important.
With that being said, the Trojans are best in position to succeed if Branch’s stats are as mind-blowing as people expect.
Not only can he make ridiculous one-handed catches while sticking a standing backflip, he squats nearly three times his bodyweight and defensive backs simply cannot keep up in the open field. USC won’t have Caleb Williams this fall, but Miller Moss (or Jayden Maiava) will be just fine if they get their star pass-catcher the ball.
As if his time on the field last year wasn’t impressive enough, Zachariah Branch took his game up a notch during the offseason while away from the gridiron. He also ran track for the Trojans, which actually helped to improve his skills as a football player. It taught him about staying low as a wide receiver to get in and out of breaks, then straightening up in the open field like a sprinter.
Asked USC WR Zachariah Branch about any benefits he’s seen from running track in spring translating to football.
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) August 16, 2024
Really interesting answer. Talked about staying low as a receiver to get in + out of breaks, then straightening up in open field like a track runner pic.twitter.com/qGiZfrFxUU
For as impressive as Branch is as an athlete, he had a bit of an awkward stride. Almost as if his mechanics were too raw. If