Miami could keep the Las Vegas Bishop Gorman pipeline going after Pete Nakos of On3 named the Hurricanes one of six program to watch for USC transfer wide receiver Zachariah Branch. Branch and his safety brother Zion entered the transfer portal on Tuesday afternoon.
Pete Thamel of ESPN reported that Zachariah and Zion Branch are expected to choose their transfer destination together. Zion Branch was in the 2022 class and Zachariah in the 2023 class. Miami freshman tight end Elija Lofton was a teammate of the Branchs at Bishop Gorman.
Miami signed four-star interior offensive lineman Seuseu Alofaituli in the 2025 class from Bishop Gorman. Alofaituli is projected to be a center in college. Miami has done well in the past signing Bishop Gorman alums. Former Miami safety Bubba Bolden is a Bishop Gorman alum who transferred to Miami from USC.
Zion Branch had 41 tackles,3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 3.0 passes defended and a forced fumble in 21 games over two seasons at USC. Zion has two seasons of eligibility remaining after redshirting as a true freshman following a season-ending injury suffered in training camp as a true freshman in 2022.
Miami, Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Louisville are early schools to watch for USC transfer WR Zachariah Branch, per @PeteNakos_👀https://t.co/9wzGFoAHEs pic.twitter.com/RsDWuGYjyy
— On3 (@On3sports) December 17, 2024
Zachariah Branch is an explosive all-purpose player. Branch had 78 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns, 11 carries for 87 yards and one TD, 29 punt returns for 406 yards and a TD and 29 kickoff returns for 547 yards and another score in two seasons for USC.
Branch had 774 combined kick return yards with both TDs as a freshman. Teams kept the ball away from Branch on returns in 2024. Branch had three fewer punt returns and nine fewer kick returns in 2024. Getting Zachariah and Zion Branch through the portal would provide Miami with one of the best transfer classes in 2025.