Former Georgia Bulldogs receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, less than a week before he is expected to be a Day 2 NFL draft pick.
According to ESPN, Branch attended the Georgia football team’s spring game on Saturday, April 18. His brother, Zion Branch, is a safety for the Bulldogs.
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At 1:26 a.m. ET on Sunday, April 19, Athens Clarke County police arrested Zachariah Branch on two misdemeanor obstruction charges after an incident in downtown Athens. Branch reportedly received obstructing public sidewalks/streets — prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer charges.
Consequently, Branch posted a $39 bond and received his release at 3:44 a.m. ET, per the ESPN report.
Branch, the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Cliff Branch, joined Georgia for the 2025 season after two years at USC. He set the Bulldogs’ single-season receptions record with 81 to go along with 811 yards and six touchdowns. Branch earned second-team All-SEC honors as a receiver.
Also, he returned punts and kickoffs for USC and Georgia. As a freshman at USC, he led FBS with a punt return average of 20.8 yards and scored a touchdown.
Georgia won the SEC championship in 2025. As a result, the Bulldogs qualified for the College Football Playoff, falling to the Ole Miss Rebels in the quarterfinal.
In his latest mock draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. sent Branch to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round with the No. 53 overall pick. Several draft experts compared Branch to current Baltimore Ravens receiver Zay Flowers.
Branch ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.
“Zachariah Branch is a slot-dominant wide receiver who was used at or near the line of scrimmage,” a CBS Sports draft bio read. “His best asset is his explosiveness and elusiveness with the ball in his hands. There has not been much to suggest the team that drafts him will expand that role significantly. Branch also offers versatility as a punt and kick returner. He projects as a complementary offensive piece and special teams contributor.”
Finally, the 2026 NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh.