Former Georgia WR Zachariah Branch arrested in Athens after G-Day
ATHENS — Former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested early Sunday in Athens and charged with two misdemeanors, one charge of obstructing public sidewalks/streets—prowling and one charge of obstruction of a law enforcement official.
Per the Athens Clarke County arrest log, Branch was booked at 1:26 a.m. and released on $39 bond at 3:44 a.m.
Branch, who should hear his name called in the NFL draft this week, spent the 2025 season with the Bulldogs after transferring from USC. He led the team in receptions and receiving yards, setting a school record for catches in a season with 81.
Georgia declined to comment on Branch, which is typical, as he is a former player of the program. Branch was in attendance for Georgia’s G-Day scrimmage Saturday, as he was seen signing autographs for fans throughout the afternoon.
A full police report of the incident has not yet been released.
Branch had been projected as a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, which is set to begin Thursday. Branch’s brother, Zion, is a safety for Georgia. He had two tackles in the spring scrimmage.
“He met a lot to learn our system and learn our terminology,” Smart said of Zachariah Branch during Georgia’s pro day. “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 No. 1 qualities for being a good pro is, is do you love it?”
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Connor Riley has been covering the University of Georgia since 2014 before moving to DawgNation full-time before the 2018 season. He helps in all areas of the site such as team coverage, recruiting, video production, social media and podcasting. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2016.
