Brian Branch is an American professional safety for the Detroit Lions in the NFL . Born in Fayetteville, Georgia, on October 22, 2001, Branch played his college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Branch was selected in the second round with pick number 45 by the Detroit Lions. Branch is a member of the 2023 NFL Draft which was conducted at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri from April 27-29, 2023. Out of the 259 players selected in the draft, there were a total of 20 safeties.
The top three picks of the 2023 NFL Draft were quarterbacks - Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and linebacker - Will Anderson Jr. respectively. Cornerback - Devin Witherspoon, tight end - Sam Laporta, and wide receivers - Marvin Mimms and Puka Nacua are all players who have had an excellent rookie campaign and have been selected for the 2023-24 Pro Bowl games. He is under contract with them for the next three years and had a great rookie year in the 2023-24 NFL season. He has registered 74 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, three interceptions, and 13 pass deflections for the Lions.
Also Read: Brian Branch Parents
Brian Branch College
Brian Branch attended the University of Alabama. He is one of the best football programs in the United States. Several players from the Crimson Tide football team have gone on to become stars in the NFL in the past (e.g. - Julio Jones and Josh Jacobs).
Branch attended Alabama for three years with the 2020 season being his freshman year. As a freshman, Branch got to play in 12 games and made three starts in the 2020 season, He came away with 27 tackles, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions that year. Branch was a member of the CFP National Championship winning Crimson Tide football team.
His sophomore year in 2021 was much better as he received more playing time. He had a total of 55 tackles on the year to go with other important stats like five tackles for a loss of 18 yards, one sack that went for a loss of five yards, one fumble recovery, and nine pass breakups which was a team high that year.
2022 was Branch’s junior year and the last season of his college career. He started all games for the Crimson Tide and earned first-team All-America honors for the defensive back position from CBS Sports and ESPN.com while Pro Football Focus bestowed the same upon him at the flex position.
He finished the season with 90 tackles out of which 14 were for a loss of yards (-56 yards), came up with three sacks for a loss of 20 yards, seven pass breakups, and a couple of interceptions.
Brian Branch Achievements
- CFP National Champion (2020)
- First-Team All-American (2022)
- Second-Team All-SEC (2022)
Brian Branch High School
Brian Branch’s high school was Sandy Creek High School in Georgia. He had some excellent performances for his school football team due to which he was conferred the Georgia 5A Ironman of the Year Award in his senior year.
Most of the top scouting sites rated him a four-star recruit and was a consistent member in their evaluation as one of the country’s top safeties after finishing his high school football career.
FAQ's on Brian Branch College
A. Brian Branch’s parents are Clarence Branch III and Sharon Branch.
A. Brian Branch ran a 40-yard dash in a time of 4.58 seconds.
A. Brian Branch wears the number 32 jersey for the Detroit Lions.
A. As per Branch himself, he doesn’t like to wear it as he finds it difficult to breathe with the mouthpiece. Also, it falls on the ground many times while tackling so he just puts it on his helmet.
