The USC Trojans suffered a significant blow to their roster as both sophomore wide receiver Zachariah Branch and redshirt sophomore safety Zion Branch announced their intention to enter the transfer portal. This brings the total number of players who have left USC since the portal opened to 19.
USC suffered another massive blow to its roster on Tuesday when sophomore receiver Zachariah Branch and his older brother, redshirt sophomore safety Zion Branch announced they would be entering the transfer portal . USC has seen a mass exodus of players since the portal opened on Dec. 9, the loss of the Branch brothers raises the number to 19. Zachariah Branch, coming out of Bishop Gorman (NV) High School in the 2023 recruiting cycle, was rated as the No. 1 receiver and the No.
4 overall prospect, per the On3 Industry Rankings. The younger Branch quickly became an impact player for the Trojans and was the first freshman in program history to earn First-Team All-American honors as a returner. This season, he was tied for the team lead in receptions (47) and ranked second in receiving yards (503). Zion Branch was a four-star prospect coming out of Gorman in the 2022 recruiting cycle. He was rated as the No. 7 safety and No. 61 overall prospect. Branch was plagued by injuries early in his career, before having his first fully healthy season in 2024. He provided much-needed depth behind starting safeties Kamari Ramsey and Akili Arnold. Branch was expected to take on a larger role for D'Anton Lynn's defense in 2025 with Arnold and Bryson Shaw out of eligibility, but the Trojans will need to turn to the portal themselves to fill out the room with the necessary experience. However, the loss of the Branch brothers highlights a much larger issue for USC under coach Lincoln Riley. In the NIL and portal era, where players no longer have to sit out a season when they decide to transfer, roster retention has become increasingly difficult
USC TRANSFER PORTAL ZACHARIAH BRANCH ZION BRANCH COLLEGE FOOTBALL
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Branch Brothers Exit USCZachariah and Zion Branch, twin brothers who committed to USC as a playful middle school fantasy, are now leaving the Trojans program. While their journey began with promise, Zachariah's sophomore season fell short of expectations, leaving the team with a significant loss.
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Branch Brothers Enter Transfer Portal, Devastating Blow to USC FootballUSC wide receiver Zachariah Branch and safety Zion Branch are entering the NCAA transfer portal. Both players are expected to transfer together, marking a significant loss for the Trojans who have already seen a number of key players depart. Zachariah, a freshman All-American in 2023, was a highly-touted recruit, while Zion was a four-star prospect in the 2022 class.
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Branch Brothers Enter Transfer Portal, Dealing Blow to USCZachariah and Zion Branch, highly touted prospects who joined USC in consecutive years, are leaving the Trojans program. This departure adds to the growing trend of top recruits leaving USC under coach Lincoln Riley.
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USC's Zachariah Branch Enters Transfer PortalUSC wide receiver Zachariah Branch announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday. Branch, a standout return specialist and receiver, will be joined by his brother Zion, a safety. Branch expressed gratitude for his time at USC, highlighting the opportunity to play alongside his brother and the support he received from coaches, teammates, and staff.
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Louisville in the Running for USC Transfer Khalil BranchLouisville football is looking to add another USC transfer to the roster, this time in the form of wide receiver and return specialist Khalil Branch. Branch entered the transfer portal alongside his brother Zion, a safety for USC. The Cardinals will face competition from several other prominent programs for Branch's services
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USC Receiver Zachariah Branch to Enter Transfer PortalUSC wide receiver Zachariah Branch has decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal and play for a different team in the 2025 season. This move comes after a disappointing 6-6 season for the Trojans. Branch, who concluded his second year with the program, had a strong performance with 78 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns, along with additional rushing yards and scores. He also excelled as a return specialist.
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