USC Freshman Sensation Zachariah Branch On His Instinctual Punt Returns
The Trojans will not be working Saturday as they enjoy a bye week after a dominant performance through their first three games.
Quarterback Caleb Williams has picked up where he left off last season and is playing like one of the best players in college football. He remains the favorite to win the Heisman trophy as we enter Week 4.
Freshman wide receiver and returner Zachariah Branch could be in the Heisman conversation, either this year or in his bright future. The 19-year-old has already returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns, adding nine receptions for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
As a returner, Branch is special. His field vision and ability to accelerate are a lethal combination, and come instinctively to the young star.
"Yeah sometimes I just kind of get a little confused on what I do sometimes," Branch said. "I look at the stuff and it's just like, shoot, hey I did it. I mean it's pretty cool to see I read the certain blocks and the certain leverages that guys are putting out there and makes it like I said, just instinct."
(Via USC Athletics)
As he continues to develop as a returner, Branch says that watching film helps him to evaluate each of his return attempts. Three games into the season, he is averaging over 22 yards per return.
"I just go with the instinct but it's pretty cool to go back and watch it on film, learn from a lot of stuff," Branch said. "Maybe I could have took a different route, could have read different blocks different ways. So it's definitely good learning experience."
(Via USC Athletics)
Branch and the rest of the Trojans will travel to Arizona State for their first road game of the season on Sept. 23.
