Zachariah Branch out for USC-Colorado game

USC star freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch was ruled out for the contest against Colorado.

Branch participated in warmups but did not dress against the Buffaloes, per WeAreSC. This season, the freshman was electric as a wide receiver and punt returner.

But without him in the lineup, Heisman winner Caleb Williams will have to look elsewhere.

The exact reasoning for Branch’s absence Saturday was not made immediately clear.

In four games this season, Branch has 13 catches for 178 yards, two touchdowns and 13.7 yards per catch. He also has seven punt returns for 158 yards, one touchdown and 22.6 yards per return.

In the kick return department, Branch is also electric. He has six returns for 171 yards, one touchdown and 28.5 yards per return.

As a member of the Class of 2023, Branch was a five-star recruit out of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 wide receiver in the class and the No. 4 overall prospect in the class.

Zachariah Branch reveals advice from Tyreek Hill

The Trojans wideout got a chance to talk with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill on the sideline during the win over Stanford earlier this month. After the game, Branch revealed Hill’s message.

“I talked to him a little bit on the sideline,” Branch said. “He was like, ‘Man, keep going crazy.’ He was over there, turnt up. It was good to see him out here supporting.”

Hill isn’t the only NFL star who has motivated Branch this season. After rattling off 232 all-purpose yards against San Jose State, Branch claims Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. reached out to him.

“[Beckham] just said just keep it up, keep going,” Branch said. “I was like, it’s crazy he actually responded because I had DM’d him before, like, a couple months ago. Way before. I was like, I don’t think he’s going to respond. But it was actually pretty cool for him to show that love.”

More love is on the way for Branch. As only a freshman, Branch is an impact player for the Trojans. Lincoln Riley claims Branch earned every snap out there.

“I haven’t done it much, but once guys play, that’s part of it,” Riley said after USC’s Week 0 victory. “It’s not freshmen, it’s not seniors in there, it’s just USC football players. I felt like he earned it, made an impact on offense, made an impact on special teams.”