Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who had been tipped by many to be an early-round draft pick later this week, was arrested by police in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Athens-Clarke County police arrested him for obstructing public sidewalks/streets-prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer, according to a report by Athens Banner-Herald.
The incident couldn’t really come at a worse time. Branch had been projected by many to be a late first-round or early second-round pick at the draft in Pittsburgh later this week. But his arrest could now see his position take a big slide.
He was arrested around 1am and released at 3:44am on a $39 bond. The police report, obtained by NFL Network, accuses Branch of failing to follow repeated orders from a police officer who asked him to move out of their way.
Branch, 22, has held visits with the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders as well as Zoom meetings with another 20 teams in the NFL.
It Branch was to take a tumble down draft boards across the NFL due to his arrest, then this latest incident could end up costing him millions.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch has been arrested days before the NFL Draft
The 22-year-old Branch had an SEC-leading 81 catches for Georgia last year
Rookie salaries depend on where they are taken in the draft. Last year, many felt that Shedeur Sanders could have been a top-three pick before concerns about his attiude saw the Browns take him in round five. His four-year deal is worth around $4.6million.
In contrast, the No.1 pick Cam Ward signed a four-year, $48.7m deal. While there is no suggestion Branch would have been taken early in the first round, the difference in pay between rounds is still huge.
In a recent interview with NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, Branch told teams that whoever picked him would be getting a ‘great person’ outside of his football talents.
‘The way I was raised is how I carry myself,’ he said. ‘You’re getting a great person overall, I have a foundation with my brother – the Branch Out Foundation – for people who may not have the resources I had growing up. So you’re getting a great, caring person.
‘I’d also say get your popcorn ready because when I get the ball, I make something happen.’
Branch was apparently in Georgia to watch the team’s spring game. His brother, Zion, plays for Georgia as a safety.
Branch, who led the SEC in 2025 with 81 catches as well as recording 811 receiving yards and six touchdown catches, transferred to Georgia last year after two seasons with USC Trojans.
He also ran an impressive 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.
Branch recently said his personality off the field makes him an attractive pick for NFL teams
Branch played for two seasons at USC Trojans before transferring to Georgia last year
ESPN’s Mel Kiper predicted that Branch would be picked at No. 53 in the draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
‘Branch, who might be undersized at 5-9 and 177 pounds… plays the game like Zay Flowers (the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver) and is explosive enough to take a quick slant for a big gain,’ he said.
His head coach at Georgia, Kirby Smart, also gave him a glowing endorsement, saying: ‘He’s a football junkie. There’s not a day I’ll leave the office that he’s not down there catching balls, running routes, doing extra.
‘He loves football, and that’s what one of the number one qualities for being a good pro is, is do you love it?’