Tarohn FinleyContributing writerSun, April 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM UTC·2 min readUniversity of Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested Sunday morning on two misdemeanor obstruction charges, according to the Athens-Clarke County arrest log. Branch, 22, faces charges of obstructing public sidewalks, prowling, and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
He was booked at 1:26 a.m. and released at 3:44 a.m. after posting a $39 bond. Branch was in Athens for the Bulldogs' spring game inside Sanford Stadium on Saturday. The NFL Network obtained Branch’s police report, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk. Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business. Due to those actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.”
The arrest comes at a difficult time, with the NFL Draft less than a week away. The first round is scheduled for Thursday. Branch is expected to be a day-two pick in a draft class that is deep at wide receiver, despite there being no clear-cut wide receiver 1 in this draft.
Branch declared for the draft following a breakout season in his first year at Georgia after transferring from USC alongside his twin brother, Zion Branch, who plays safety for the Bulldogs.
Last season, Branch set Georgia's single-season record with 81 receptions for 811 yards and six touchdowns. He totaled 78 catches for 823 yards and three touchdowns during his first two college seasons.
Known for his breakaway speed and sharp cuts, Branch also contributed as a returner for both Georgia and USC. He posted a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the fastest among Georgia players and the sixth fastest among wide receivers.