Zachariah Branch, a former USC wide receiver and one of the top players in the transfer portal, has pledged his commitment to Georgia, according to Matt Zenitz from 247Sports/CBS Sports. Additionally, his brother, Zion, a former top-100 defensive back, also shared his commitment to the Bulldogs on social media.
Branch, ranked as the No. 4 prospect nationally and the No. 2 wide receiver in the 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings, entered the portal after spending two seasons at USC. A five-star recruit from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, Branch showcased his skills as a dynamic playmaker for the Trojans during his true freshman season in 2023.
He quickly made a significant impact as both a punt and kick returner, earning the Jet Award, which is presented each year to the top return specialist, after accumulating 442 yards and one touchdown on kick returns, along with 332 yards and one touchdown on punt returns.
In 2024, he stepped into a larger role in USC’s offense, playing a prominent part in the receiving group. He ended the season tied for second on the team with 47 receptions for 503 yards and one touchdown, averaging 10.7 yards per catch.
Branch concluded his two-year tenure at USC with 78 receptions, 823 yards, and three touchdowns. His addition is a significant boost for a Georgia team facing the challenge of replacing key offensive players in 2025.
The Bulldogs are expected to lose experienced players like Dominic Lovett and Arian Smith, who provided big-play capabilities and often stretched the field for the team. Branch’s game-breaking speed will greatly assist in filling that void.
Georgia is in need of more reliable performances from its wide receivers, particularly as they transition to a new quarterback following Carson Beck’s departure for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bulldogs struggled with dropped passes throughout the season, a problem that became even more evident during their College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Notre Dame.
The Branch brothers are Georgia’s initial transfer commitments for the 2025 recruiting cycle.
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