Alabama football’s junior safety, Brian Branch has shown continued growth this season, and his name is starting to rise on NFL draft boards.
Branch came to Alabama as a four-star recruit in 2020. He has enjoyed consistent playing time throughout his time in Tuscaloosa. He has made 62 tackles, two sacks and deflected seven passes this season.
The Georgia native broke up Ole Miss’ final pass attempt Saturday to seal up a win for the Crimson Tide. He described that moment Monday during Alabama’s player media availability.
“They had trips,” Branch said. “Three were on the ball. We were playing cut. We had two high safeties. He was only running two routes in my head. It was either a corner or a middle read, and if he would have run a corner, then I would’ve gave it to my safety. But he ran a middle read, and I was able to play underneath.”
Alabama uses Branch in a lot of different ways within its secondary. His unique skillset allows him to drop back in coverage, help in run support and put pressure on the quarterback. Nick Saban discussed Branch’s versatility during his Monday press conference.
“Brian Branch is a very versatile player,” Saban said. “He has got good cover skills. He’s physical. He is a good blitzer. For the most part, he is a good tackler. Although on the long run at the end of the game, he missed the tackle. I think he’s a really, really good competitor and, his versatility as a player, playing star, playing safety, playing money. If you don’t have a few guys like that on your team then you don’t have any diversity in what you can do on defense.”
Branch’s name is as high as mid first-round on multiple draft boards at the moment. With him being a junior, he will have an opportunity to declare for the draft or return to Tuscaloosa at the end of the season.
