Tennessee has reportedly “entered the race” for a standout wide receiver in the transfer portal.
According to a report from On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos on Monday morning, Tennessee is actively targeting former Southern California wide receiver Zachariah Branch as the Vols look to get him on campus for a visit.
“Zachariah Branch and his brother Zion have yet to commit as the dead period comes to a close. Sources tell On3 that Tennessee is going all-in to land a visit, using a recruiting pitch involving receiver Bru McCoy,” Nakos wrote on Monday. “Nico Iamaleava’s Dad is also making a push, sources told On3. The brothers previously visited Arizona State and Georgia.”
Tennessee has entered the race for coveted USC transfer WR Zachariah Branch, @PeteNakos_ reports🍊
Intel: https://t.co/JUGJvfq4ES pic.twitter.com/uDCV2SV9tD
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) December 30, 2024
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Nakos’ report suggests that Tennessee is looking to use familiarity with its recruiting pitch for the elite wide receiver and his brother Zion, a safety from the recruiting class of 2022.
Bru McCoy transferred from Southern Cal to Tennessee in early May before the 2022 season. The California native has been with Tennessee for the past three seasons and quickly turned into a fan-favorite amongst Vol Nation for gritty plays against Alabama and other SEC foes during his time on Rocky Top. Tennessee now appears to be hoping McCoy can help bring another USC receiver to Rocky Top.
Nakos’ report also suggests that the Iamaleava family is working the California connection.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Zachariah Branch played on the same team in the Polynesian Bowl in January 2023, after Iamaleava’s early enrollment at Tennessee and before his redshirt freshman season in Knoxville.
Iamaleava and Branch connected on a long passing touchdown during the game for Team Mauka to tie the game at 7-7, showing some familiarity between the two players.
Wow. Zachariah Branch catch and run for TD. Team Mauka ties it up 7-7. #PolyBowl2k23 🤙🌴@zachariahb03 @SportsRecruits pic.twitter.com/aQWOUxLAVO
— POLYNESIAN BOWL (@polynesiabowl) January 21, 2023
Branch was a true blue-chip prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. The former Bishop Gorman High School product was a consensus five-star recruit and was listed as the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver prospect and the fourth overall player in the class according to On3 Sports’ Industry Rankings at the time.
Branch played his first two seasons at Southern Cal and racked up 78 receptions, 11 carries, 29 punt returns, 29 kick returns, and six total touchdowns in those two seasons.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound receiver tallied 31 receptions for 320 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman in 2023 and improved to 503 yards and one touchdown on 47 receptions during his sophomore campaign this past season with the Trojans.
Tennessee’s receiver depth took a big hit in the winter transfer portal window with five receivers including former starter Squirrel White entering their names in. Mike Matthews is an interesting case and could be a candidate to return to Knoxville with a new NIL deal, but we’ll see how everything shakes out. Branch would nonetheless be a potential season-changing addition for Tennessee but he is also one of the hottest names in the portal right now.
According to Nakos’ reporting for On3 Sports on Monday, Tennessee is looking to get the ball rolling by getting the standout receiver to Knoxville for a visit.
