Former USC broad receiver Zachariah Branch and security Zion Branch have dedicated to Georgia, the brothers instructed ESPN on Sunday.
The brothers are former top-100 recruits who loom as important additions for the Bulldogs in 2025. They each have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Zachariah Branch is the No. 9 total participant and No. 4 broad receiver in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings. He earned first-team All-American honors in 2023 whereas rising as one of the crucial electrical gamers in faculty soccer.
“I selected Georgia as a result of I felt just like the tradition was one thing particular,” Zachariah Branch instructed ESPN. “They have a terrific teaching employees, the brotherhood throughout the program, their will to win, being ready for the following degree and being as profitable as attainable on and off the sector was necessary to me.”
Zachariah Branch can increase a Georgia receiving room that was beset this season by off-field points and inconsistent play. Georgia led the nation with 36 broad receiver drops, per ESPN Research.
“I see their potential as a contender for the nationwide championship and to defend their SEC title in 2025,” Zachariah Branch mentioned.
He accounted for 1,863 all-purpose yards throughout his two seasons at USC, together with two kicks returned for touchdowns in 2023. As a receiver he caught 78 passes for 823 yards and three touchdowns. He tied for the staff lead in receptions this season with 47. He rushed for 87 yards and one other landing throughout his two seasons in coach Lincoln Riley’s offense.
Zion Branch performed in all 12 video games for USC as a redshirt sophomore security this season, recording 19 tackles, 3 go breakups and 1 sack in a reserve function. He’s the older of the 2 brothers and handled season-ending accidents in each 2022 and 2023.
“I selected the University of Georgia due to its nice teaching employees, their pedigree, and the historical past of this system,” Zion Branch instructed ESPN. “Georgia has constantly been among the best packages in faculty soccer, and the tradition of excellence they’ve constructed is one thing I wish to be part of. The coaches aren’t nearly successful video games; they’re about constructing character, fostering progress and pushing gamers to be their best possible each on and off the sector.”
The brothers joined the Trojans after starring at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. Zachariah was the No. 7 total recruit within the ESPN 300 for 2023, and Zion was No. 76 in 2022.
The Georgia receiving room was filled with regular gamers however with no true standout; no one completed within the SEC’s prime 10 for receiving yards. Senior Arian Smith, who accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl however nonetheless has a season of eligibility left, led the Bulldogs with 817 yards. Receiver/punt returner Anthony Evans III entered the switch portal, and Dominic Lovett, who’s out of eligibility, led the staff with 59 catches.
Zachariah Branch affords uncommon dynamism and downfield velocity that may make him a candidate to be Georgia’s prime goal in 2025. He scored only one landing for USC in 2024 after scoring 5 as a real freshman — two within the return recreation, two receiving and one dashing.
The brothers see themselves as contributors towards this system’s larger objectives.
“This staff is poised to do one thing really particular — competing for championships and setting a normal of excellence that few can match,” Zion Branch mentioned. “With the expertise that is already there and the elite-level recruits coming in, the longer term is extremely shiny. I’ve little doubt Georgia is not going to solely win loads of video games but additionally proceed to steer the nation in innovation and efficiency on the sector.”