NFL draft prospect Zachariah Branch arrested after attending Georgia spring game

TL;DR

Zachariah Branch, an NFL draft prospect, was arrested in Athens on April 19 for two misdemeanor obstruction charges after attending a Georgia spring football game. He was released on a $39 bond shortly after his arrest.

Key points

Zachariah Branch was arrested on April 19.
He faces two misdemeanor obstruction charges.
Branch was released on a $39 bond.

Zachariah BranchGeorgia BulldogsNFL

Former Georgia Bulldogs receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, less than a week before he is expected to be a Day 2 NFL draft pick.

According to ESPN, Branch attended the Georgia football team’s spring game on Saturday, April 18. His brother, Zion Branch, is a safety for the Bulldogs.

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At 1:26 a.m. ET on Sunday, April 19, Athens Clarke County police arrested Zachariah Branch on two misdemeanor obstruction charges after an incident in downtown Athens. Branch reportedly received obstructing public sidewalks/streets — prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer charges.

Consequently, Branch posted a $39 bond and received his release at 3:44 a.m. ET, per the ESPN report.

Branch, the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Cliff Branch, joined Georgia for the 2025 season after two years at USC. He set the Bulldogs’ single-season receptions record with 81 to go along with 811 yards and six touchdowns. Branch earned second-team All-SEC honors as a receiver.

Also, he returned punts and kickoffs for USC and Georgia. As a freshman at USC, he led FBS with a punt return average of 20.8 yards and scored a touchdown.

Georgia won the SEC championship in 2025. As a result, the Bulldogs qualified for the College Football Playoff, falling to the Ole Miss Rebels in the quarterfinal.

In his latest mock draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. sent Branch to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round with the No. 53 overall pick. Several draft experts compared Branch to current Baltimore Ravens receiver .

Q&A

What charges did Zachariah Branch face after his arrest?

Zachariah Branch was charged with two misdemeanor obstruction offenses, including obstructing public sidewalks/streets and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

When and where was Zachariah Branch arrested?

Zachariah Branch was arrested early on April 19 in downtown Athens, Georgia, shortly after attending the Georgia football team's spring game.

How long did Zachariah Branch stay in custody before being released?

Zachariah Branch was released from custody approximately two hours after his arrest, having posted a $39 bond.