Zion Branch gives Georgia experience at safety

Georgia lists Zion Branch as a fifth-year safety on its 2026 roster after he played 11 games for the Bulldogs in 2025. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defender wears No. 2 and has recorded one tackle apiece against Tennessee State, Western Kentucky, Arkansas and Oklahoma this season.

Branch transferred to Georgia from USC in spring 2025. He made 27 tackles, including 19 solo stops, with one tackle for loss and two pass breakups during his first Georgia season.

His Bulldogs debut produced a season-high seven tackles against Marshall. Branch later made six tackles against Florida in Jacksonville, three at Mississippi State and five against Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. He also recorded a tackle for loss at Georgia Tech and a pass breakup against Texas.

Branch spent three seasons at USC, redshirting in 2022 before playing during the next two seasons. Georgia’s roster biography credits him with 41 tackles, 30 solo stops, 3.0 tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble during that stretch.

The same biography lists two sacks against Penn State in 2024 as a career high, although its USC career summary credits Branch with one total sack. The official page does not explain that statistical conflict.

Branch arrived at USC from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. As a senior, he recorded 42 tackles, two tackles for loss and seven passes defended while helping Bishop Gorman win a Class 5A state championship.

His family ties include former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, his brother, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Cliff Branch, his uncle.

Why it matters

Branch supplies Georgia’s secondary with a fifth-year safety who has played at both USC and Georgia. His 2025 production included 27 tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups.