Former Bishop Gorman star wide receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested in Athens, Georgia, early Sunday morning on misdemeanor charges in an incident that could muddy his prospects in this week’s NFL draft.
Branch was charged with two misdemeanors for obstruction of a law enforcement officer and obstructing a public sidewalk. According to an Athens-Clarke County police spokesperson, officers directed a large crowd gathered outside a dance and nightclub to clear the sidewalk as the business prepared to close for evening, and when Branch was directly warned to disperse, the 22-year-old refused to comply.
According to NFL Network, the police report that spelled Branch’s first name “Zacharia,” included a claim that did not move far enough when an officer asked him to move on the public sidewalk.
“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,” the police report said, according to NFL Network. “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.”
Branch was the No. 1 wide receiver prospect in the country coming out of Bishop Gorman in 2023 and is the great nephew of former Raider and Pro Football Hall of Famer Cliff Branch. He played two seasons at USC before joining Georgia last season. He totaled 81 receptions for 811 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games for the Bulldogs.
Branch dazzled at the NFL scouting combine in March, posting a 4.35-second 40-time that helped make up for his 5-foot-9-inch, 177-pound frame. He earned a spot on the NFL.com all-combine team with the sixth-highest athletic score among wide receivers. He met with the Raiders at the combine and said he had a top-30 visit scheduled with the team in an April appearance on NFL Network.
His representation did not respond to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s request for comment.
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