An NFL prospect out of Georgia is facing legal troubles mere days before the opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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According to ESPN, former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested early on Sunday morning in Athens. He faces two possible misdemeanor charges. The arrest records say that he was booked at 1:26 a.m. and released on $39 bond at 3:44 a.m. ET.
Branch faces misdemeanor charges of obstructing public sidewalks/streets and prowling. He also faces a charge of obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
NFL Network acquired a copy of the police report for this incident and made it accessible on X.
"A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move," the report stated. "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.
"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 for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks."
Branch started his college career with the University of Southern California. He spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Trojans while posting a combined 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He added 87 rushing yards and one touchdown.
The receiver moved to the University of Georgia for the 2025 season, his junior year. He led the SEC with 81 receptions and posted a career-best 811 receiving yards. He also scored six receiving touchdowns. His 81 receptions set a single-season record for the Bulldogs.
Branch is expected to be an early selection in the NFL Draft. The projections put him as a Friday pick, meaning the second or third round.
Multiple teams are in the hunt for wide receivers as they prepare for the first NFL Draft in the city of Pittsburgh. This includes the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders.
ESPN Draft Analyst Mel Kiper particularly highlighted the Steelers as a destination for the Georgia receiver. He noted that DK Metcalf is the speedy, strong outside receiver while Michael Pittman Jr. is the chain-mover for the middle of the field.
Kiper said that Branch could be the quick receiver who could take a quick slant from Aaron Rodgers — provided he returns — and take it for a big gain.
