Ex-Georgia WR Zachariah Branch, likely NFL Draft pick, arrested in Athens
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested early Sunday in Athens, Ga., on two misdemeanor charges: obstructing public sidewalks/streets and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
- Branch, 22, was booked at 1:26 a.m., posted bond, and was released about two hours later according to Athens-Clarke County arrest records.
- Branch was a four-star recruit from Bishop Gorman High and played two seasons at USC before transferring to Georgia, where he led the team with 81 receptions, 811 yards, and six touchdowns in 2025.
- At the NFL Scouting Combine, Branch ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and was ranked as the 14th-best receiver in the 2026 draft class, with a third-round grade from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
- Brugler projects Branch as a versatile slot receiver with return skills, comparing him to Rondale Moore, but notes he may primarily be a gadget player at the professional level.
