Zachariah Branch named First Team All-American
USC wide receiver and return specialist Zachariah Branch is officially a First Team All-American for the 2023 college football season.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Branch was named to the USA Today All-American First Team as a returner. He’s the 176th First Team All-American for the Trojans. But he’s the very first true freshman to earn that distinction.
USC’s football history rivals that of any program in the nation. So, for Branch to do something that had never been done before by a Trojan is an impressive feat despite the disappointing overall season for the USC football program.
Branch made an immediate impression for the Trojans this season. He recorded USC’s first offensive touch of the season. And he returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the season opener against San Jose State.
He finished the regular season leading the nation in punt return average, at 20.6 yards per return. He is second overall in combined kickoff and punt return yardage and returned both a kickoff and punt for a score this season.
Since 1971, Branch is just one of three USC players to score a touchdown on a punt return, kickoff return and reception in the same season. His kickoff return touchdown covered 96 yards against San Jose State and his punt return touchdown was a 75-yarder against Stanford.
In addition to his standout play on special teams, Branch also caught 29 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed eight times for 70 yards and another score.
The All-American teams that allow for Consensus or Unanimous All-American designations (Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation and The Sporting News) have yet to be released. But USC has used other lists to award its All-Americans. Last season, center Brett Neilon earned All-American status by virtue of appearing on Action Network All-America First Team and safety Calen Bullock did so with placement on the PFF All-America First Team.
