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New details have emerged regarding the arrest of former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who faces two misdemeanor charges following an altercation with law enforcement just days before the NFL Draft.
Branch, who is a second-round pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, and charged with two counts of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – loitering and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on November 28, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 bail.
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THE NFL Network obtained the police report on Branch’s arrest, which described an encounter regarding an alleged sidewalk incident with law enforcement, in which police alleged the former Bulldogs star failed to “comply with multiple lawful verbal commands.”
“A man, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without attempting to move. I continued to give verbal commands to Zacharia Branch not to block the sidewalk and informed him that if he did not do so, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk,” the report excerpt reads.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
NFL TOP PICK ZACHARIAH BRANCH ARRESTED IN GEORGIA ON TWO OFFENSE CHARGES
“Zacharia Branch smiled, then walked backwards and to the right, then remained standing on the public sidewalk, in a manner so as to obstruct, obstruct and prevent free passage on the sidewalk as well as to prevent free entry/egress to or from adjacent places of business,” the report continues.
“As a result of these actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with several lawful verbal commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor obstructing LEO and was issued a citation for obstructing public sidewalks.”
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34. (IMAGINE)
Branch transferred after two seasons to Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
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His status as a projected second-round pick was solidified after an impressive performance at the combine, where he ran a 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds.
