Onus on $1.2 million USC transfer to shake ‘special teams-only star’ label with Georgia | Sporting News

Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart doesnt spend much on NIL in recruiting , but he gave $1.2 million to Zachariah Branch to show in Athens what he couldnt show at USC as a pass-catcher.

247 Sports Brad Crawford believes Branchs biggest battle during the Bulldogs' 2025 season will be shaking the special teams-only star label he earned in Los Angeles.

It's time for this former five-star recruit to shake the "special teams-only star" connotation from his name and develop into one of college football's top pass-catchers.

He's only had one 100-yard game in his career over two seasons at USC and comes to Georgia as a slot threat within Mike Bobo's scheme.

The Bulldogs need to find creative ways to get Zachariah Branch the football since he's never been a high-volume catch talent.

Branch is one of several former transfers expected to start at Georgia on offense in 2025, Crawford wrote.

UGA has one of the all-time prove-it seasons ahead.

Despite winning the 2024 SEC Championship against Texas, a team it defeated twice, many view the Bulldogs as potential backsliders in the SEC.

Handing the reins over to Gunner Stockton will be a major leap of faith after Carson Beck took over $4 million to become Miamis QB1 in the transfer portal.

Getting the defense up to the Georgia standard Smart had the Bulldogs at in 2021 and 2022 is another question mark.

Nothing is guaranteed at UGA anymore.

While their NIL era started hot, they are a missed CFP away from panicking.

Branch could help Stockton avoid catastrophe by reaching his potential in 2025.

As more than just a special teams specialist..

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