NFL draft prospect Branch arrested in Georgia
Apr 19, 2026, 01:07 PM ET Former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who is widely expected to be a Day 2 NFL draft pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, on two possible misdemeanor charges. Branch is facing misdemeanor charges of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer….
Former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who is widely expected to be a Day 2 NFL draft pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, on two possible misdemeanor charges.
Branch is facing misdemeanor charges of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. According to the Athens Clarke County arrest log, he was booked at 1:26 a.m. and released at 3:44 a.m. after posting $39 bond.
According to the police report, which was obtained by NFL Network, an officer alleged that Branch failed “to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands” to not block a public sidewalk.
According to local media, Branch was in attendance for Georgia’s spring game Saturday. His brother, Zion, is a safety for Georgia.
Zachariah Branch was projected to be selected in the second round in a two-round mock draft recently posted by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and is ranked among the top 100 players available by ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, Field Yates, Jordan Reid and Matt Miller.
Branch ran a time of 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and set Georgia’s single-season record with 81 receptions in 2025 after transferring from USC. He also had 811 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
