WATCH: Zachariah Branch lights up the Coliseum with electric punt return touchdown
USC freshman Zachariah Branch is back to his showing off his dazzling abilities as he just returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown against Stanford. The score extended USC’s lead over the Cardinal to 35-0 early in the second quarter.
The return was Branch’s fourth career touchdown as he plays in the third game of his USC career. He caught five passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns heading into this game. It was his second return touchdown as he returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against San Jose State in the first game of this season.
Before his punt return score, Branch had two receptions for 25 yards and one carry for 2 yards in the game.
Branch has become a national sensation already, garnering national attention, including comparisons to some all time greats.
Pac-12 Network color commentator Yogi Roth couldn’t hold back on his praise. He compared the true freshman star to former USC legend and 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush.
“I mean, look, it’s going to sound like big praise, but we haven’t seen a guy do something like that on special teams since No. 5 was here,” Roth said. “And everyone listening knows who No. 5 was. Zachariah Branch has a big career to see what he can do. But that speed, that vision, that confidence that young, that’s what Reggie was doing as a true freshman.
Branch played high school football at Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman, where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
On3’s Charles Power was higher on Zachariah Branch than anyone else in the industry, comparing him to former Alabama and current Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Saturday’s touchdown against San Jose State showed the yards-after-catch ability both Branch and Waddle possess.
