The former All-American was released hours after being charged.
Zachariah Branch’s life-changing week got off to a much quicker start than anyone, including himself, could have imagined.
The former Georgia wide receiver who is widely expected to be this week’s 2026 second-round pick NFL Draftwas arrested in Athens early Sunday morning. According to the Athens Clarke County Jail booking report, Branch was charged with obstructing public sidewalks/turning as well as obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Branch was booked at 01:26 Sunday, before it was released at 3:44 a.m. on a bond totaling $39 after being charged with a pair of misdemeanors.
The 22-year-old, who led Georgia in receiving yards a season ago, was in Athens over the weekend to attend the Bulldogs’ G-Day game at Sanford Stadium. Branch’s brother, Zion, plays safety at Georgia. The duo transferred to the Bulldog program from USC prior to the 2025 college football season. Zachariah was a first-team All-American during his freshman campaign as a Trojan in 2023.
Georgia wideout Zachariah Branch (WO09) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
READ: Georgia Bulldogs add to arrest total with two more players
In his lone season with the Bulldogs, Zachariah set a single-season receiving record with 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns, while also averaging 20.5 yards per carry. kickoff return. His biggest performance of the year came against Florida in November when he hauled in 10 catches for 112 yards.
While his numbers and resume are both impressive, Zachariah turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine by posting a 4.35-second 40-yard dash time.
Zachariah Branch is ranked among the top 100 players available in the 2026 NFL Draft by virtually every draft expert covering the NFL.
