'25 WR Zachariah Branch (USC transfer)

[njvols]

LOTS of Shoney's gift cards.

 

[MarcoVol]

So exactly what makes this guy elite? High school recruiting rankings? 2 years of college stats against bad competition don't scream elite.

 

[rockytop25]

So exactly what makes this guy elite? High school recruiting rankings? 2 years of college stats against bad competition don't scream elite.

Do yourself a favor and go watch the kick return he has at the :25 mark in this video and you’ll see

 

[TrippieRedd]

 

[Blake25p]

Not living up to your rankings coming out of HS and still being a good player can both be true.

 

[knoxvol52]

wonder what we pay him

7.75 an hour..

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Imagine attacking defenses 4 wide with Matthews and Brazzell on the outside and Branch and Staley/Boo in the slot. Put Davis at TE and motion either Branch or Boo across the backfield pre-snap and you can put some major pressure on a defense...especially with the added threat that Nico can run. Pre-snap motion with dynamic players in the slot...sign me up.

 

[AngryButchJones]

Listen, if Swain likes him and thinks he'd be a great add, I'm on board. Dude played WR here, knows what it takes not only to play at UT, but also at an elite level in the SEC because of who all he played with and the coaches he had. He's been consistently spot on with his analysis of UT's WRs over the last decade from listening to his various shows.

 

[VolNRaleighNC]

Imagine attacking defenses 4 wide with Matthews and Brazzell on the outside and Branch and Staley/Boo in the slot. Put Davis at TE and motion either Branch or Boo across the backfield pre-snap and you can put some major pressure on a defense...especially with the added threat that Nico can run. Pre-snap motion with dynamic players in the slot...sign me up.

You are assuming A LOT changes with our offense.

 

[TrippieRedd]

- So Branch is the most electric athlete in the country

- Lewis is apparently the fastest kid on the team.

- Boo and Staley are quick as lightning as well.

- Then you have Matthews and Brazzell.

- Kit and Davis coming back at TE.

I mean…there’s your weapons Nico plus whatever other options we go after. JAllen said we are looking at others

 

[rockytop25]

Gives me a smaller Cordarelle Patterson vibe

 

[yourstruly23]

If Velus and Dee Williams had a baby, it’d be this guy

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

You are assuming A LOT changes with our offense.

They tailored a lot of the offense to focus on running more the last two seasons. They're going to have no choice but to be more multiple and dynamic in the passing game. If a lot doesn't change, then it's going to be almost impossible to hold on to their best receivers and keep Brandon committed.

 

[Type Orange+]

Cliff Branch boy?

Cousins.

 

[tyonthefly93]

Put Branch and Boo back in kick/punt return at the same time.

 

[10seV4L]

This would be a huge get. And getting his brother would also be a solid pickup. Him and Jakobe Thomas can battle it out for the other safety spot next to Turrentine.

How about we have them all compete for the two spots. We should not make a habit of promising players a position without having competed to earn it, with occasional exception(s). Imo, Turrentine, while solid, is not lock down-a-position, elite.

 

[UTK]

Do yourself a favor and go watch the kick return he has at the :25 mark in this video and you’ll see

Or watch their first game against LSU

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I’m skeptical we’re willing to spend to land Branch. But I’ll say this, if we did land him and kept Matthews and also saw Boo play some offense next year, there will really be zero excuse for Pope if he can’t get some explosive playmaking from that unit. It will be put up or shut up time.

 

[BJWeeks]

Or watch their first game against LSU

I'm drooling

 

[pimo1]

Can he play outside?

 

[pimo1]

I’m skeptical we’re willing to spend to land Branch. But I’ll say this, if we did land him and kept Matthews and also saw Boo play some offense next year, there will really be zero excuse for Pope if he can’t get some explosive playmaking from that unit. It will be put up or shut up time.

But all three of them are basically the same guy...

 

[Blake25p]

I’m skeptical we’re willing to spend to land Branch. But I’ll say this, if we did land him and kept Matthews and also saw Boo play some offense next year, there will really be zero excuse for Pope if he can’t get some explosive playmaking from that unit. It will be put up or shut up time.

I don’t think you contact him because if you’re not willing to spend.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

But all three of them are basically the same guy...

No….they aren’t? Matthews isn’t a slot receiver. Branch is. If by same guy you mean extremely talented and athletic than yes you are correct.

Starting Matthews and Brazzell outside and Branch in the slot would then allow you to rotate in Staley and Boo as needed. Boo will likely be a player used in special packages and not a true WR anyway.

 

[Jackcrevol]

But all three of them are basically the same guy...

matthews is a long jumper, staley is a running back. did you see his quickness? shii

 

[Vol865]

We need SPEED