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New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who faces two misdemeanor charges after an encounter with law enforcement days before the NFL Draft.
Branch, a projected second-round pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, and charged with two counts of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – larceny and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 28, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bond.
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The NFL Network obtained the police report from Branch’s arrest, which described an encounter over an alleged sidewalk incident with law enforcement in which police claimed the former Bulldogs star failed to “comply with multiple verbal lawful commands.”
“A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk making no attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk,” the excerpt from the report read.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
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“Zacharia Branch smiled, then stepped backwards and to the right and then stood on the public sidewalk, to obstruct, impede, and obstruct free passage on the sidewalk as well as obstruct free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business,” the report continued.
“Due to these actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with numerous verbal lawful commands, he was arrested for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received 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, La., Jan. 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34. (IMAGIN)
Branch transferred after two seasons in 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 showing at the combine, where he clocked a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.
