USC football is really excited about the possibility of getting plays from redshirt freshman Zion Branch at the safety position this year. The Trojans defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is gushing over how much progress Zion Branch has made ever since being cleared to return from the knee injury that kept him out last season, reports the Los Angeles Times' Thuc Chi Nguyen.

“He [Zion Branch] has made as much progress in 14 days as anybody that I've ever been around. It's been real exciting to see. Credit completely goes to him and a guy that we're excited about moving forward, so I think he'll have a role with us.”

This is some high praise from Alex Grinch for Zion Branch, and it echoes what USC football is expecting from the 6-foot-2 safety this season. Branch specifically believes that with the year off, his knee injury ended up being a blessing in disguise.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Football News
Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier looks on while Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) walks by before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Florida beefs up offensive line by winning recruit over Georgia, AlabamaLorenzo J Reyna ·
Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) runs the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) and defensive lineman Bryce Young (30) move in during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Lincoln Riley’s ‘big goal’ for Jayden Maiava in 2025Lorenzo J Reyna ·
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) listens to the play calling on the sideline during an NFL practice at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders blasts negative pre-draft rumors around Shedeur SandersPreston Byers ·
Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) jumps into the arms of head coach Kenny Dillingham after the the Sun Devils upset the (16) Utah Utes 27-19 at Mountain America Stadium.
Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham makes ‘blue blood’ claim after 2024 successLorenzo J Reyna ·
Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin gives a thumbs up while walking off the field after the game of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Ole Miss defeated Duke 52-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin loses 2-way athlete armed with 22 offersLorenzo J Reyna ·
It's time that HBCU athletics leaders take inspiration from the NBA and look to innovate with their media rights.
HBCUs must innovate with sports media rights; use the NBA as inspirationRandall Barnes ·

“I feel like really I got a chance to hone in on my skills technically. [I] got to hone in on my strength in the weight room and definitely in the film room, having a whole year just learning mentally and getting to watch these great safeties and great DBs we have around us.”

This has to be music to USC football fans ears, as a year with National Championship aspirations sits around the corner. Stay tuned into any more news out of Trojans fall camp as they prepare to follow Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams into the college football promised land in 2023.