Georgia football has been linked with many of the top players in the transfer portal so far this year, especially at wide receiver. Kirby Smart and his staff hosted one of their top transfer targets on Tuesday, but he may no longer be their top target any longer.
Star USC wide receiver Zachariah Branch officially entered the portal on Tuesday, and Georgia was immediately listed as one of six teams to watch according to On3's Pete Nakos.
Miami, Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Louisville are early schools to watch for USC transfer WR Zachariah Branch, per @PeteNakos_👀https://t.co/9wzGFoAHEs pic.twitter.com/RsDWuGYjyy
— On3 (@On3sports) December 17, 2024
USC transfer WR Zachariah Branch
Branch is one of the most electric players in all of college football. He played at USC for two seasons, and during that time he recorded 78 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns. On top of being an elite threat in the passing game, he is also great in punt and kick returns as he accumulated 406 yards on special teams that includes one kick returned for a touchdown.
Out of high school, Branch was the No. 1 wide receiver in the country and the No. 7 overall player in the 2023 class according to 247Sports. Those rankings have only improved as he now is the No. 2 receiver in the transfer portal and No. 3 overall player.
Miami (FL), Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma and Louisville are the five other teams listed with Georgia as teams to look out for.
Another interesting note is that his brother Zion Branch has also entered the portal and is leaving USC as well. Zion is the No. 10 ranked safety in the transfer portal, so he is also a very solid transfer option as well. According to Pete Thamel, the brothers are expected to transfer to the same school, so Georgia will have to convince both players that UGA is the best place for them.
Sources: USC’s Zachariah and Zion Branch are entering the NCAA transfer portal. The brothers are expected to go to their next destination together. Zachariah was a freshman All-American in 2023 and is regarded as one of the country’s most explosive receivers. pic.twitter.com/sf13DvSqfe
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 17, 2024
This recruitment will be very interesting to watch as a commitment from the Branch brothers will take Georgia to another level heading into next season. It will be extremely difficult to win this recruitment and NIL will likely play a big factor, but if Georgia was going to go all out with NIL in any recruitment, this would be the time to do it.