Zion Branch getting started with the Trojans
Class of 2022 safety Zion Branch won’t be at USC for spring ball as an early enrollee, but his career with the Trojans is off and running.
The four-star safety finished as the No. 60 overall prospect and No. 7 safety in the 2022 On3 Consensus rankings. He was the top target for USC from the start of his recruiting cycle and things remained that way after the coaching change. Branch has the ability to play early at USC despite the Trojans loaded up on safeties in the 2021 class. And he’s been getting a head start on his preparation for USC.
WeAreSC’s Scott Schrader caught up with Branch while at the Battle Vegas 7-on-7 this weekend. Branch was in attendance watching his brother, 2023 four-star wide receiver and USC commit Zach Branch. He talked about what he’s been able to do since signing with the Trojans and how he views the program’s trajectory now.
A few notable quotes:
“They’ve already been sending me their lift programs and stuff like that. Their conditioning schedule. I’ve been doing my best to send them videos and stuff like that. I’ve been working out pretty much every week, every day. Also, I’ve been on Zoom meetings, trying to get the defense down.”
“When I signed, that’s when I started believing. I already knew he was going to do something big. I believed in coach Riley from the beginning. I’m not surprised anymore. Before that, I don’t know. I don’t know if I could say that. But now, I mean, yeah.”
USC’s Safety Situation
Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will coach the safeties at USC and he inherits an interesting situation back there.
The Trojans started last season with three veterans in Isaiah Pola-Mao, Chase Williams and Greg Johnson. But all three were replaced at various times during the season.
USC went young at times last year, with second-year safety Xavion Alford and true freshmen Calen Bullock and Jaylin Smith seeing time. USC veterans Max Williams and Briton Allen should be back this season after missing last year with ACL tears. Xamarion Gordon and Anthony Beavers Jr. have a year of experience now and Chris Thompson Jr. returns for his second year at USC and third year overall.
Branch was the lone safety signed by USC in the 2022 class and the Trojans have not yet added at that position via the transfer portal.
