Ourlads' Profile:
2023 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about BRIAN BRANCH:
Alabama | H: 5111 W: 190 40: 4.58 A: 3034 H: 0912 W: 7514
Junior entry, two year starter, Fayetteville, GA. Second team All-SEC and AP All-America in 2022. Highly productive and versatile defensive back with reps as a nickel and two high safety. He’s a smooth fluid athlete who has primarily played the Star position in the Alabama secondary. Has taken some reps as a quarters safety from a flat foot read. Tracks well from two high looks getting downhill in a hurry. Shows the ability to avoid or shed blocks on the move. Explosive attacking blocks he uses his hands to create separation and is effective getting off blocks from much larger players. Excellent in space with incredible tackling skill, just does not miss. Gathers and drives through tackles. Changes direction on a dime with no wasted movement. Solid zone defender he normally shows route awareness and ability to balance multiple routes in a zone. Recovers well if out of position. Gets a read on the quarterback delivery key with a sudden break on the throw. In man coverage can cover tight ends or shifty slot receivers. Physical at the line he maintains leverage and mirrors cuts. Ignores the first move away from his leverage and handles double moves. He’s physical re-routing a receiver and disrupting the release. Adept at undercutting a route beak and staying in phase. Excellent eye discipline keeping his focus on the receiver. Physical at the catch point he wins most 50/50 battles and can separate a receiver from the ball. Limited experience as a one high safety, there is a question on deep range over the top. Occasionally will be overaggressive as a zone defender and get attracted to one route and fail to balance. Needs to be consistent with route awareness and positioning. Can get a little grabby at times. Projects well to nickel and should be outstanding on special teams.
2022 Stats: 90 T, 14 TFL, 3 sacks, 7 PBU, 2 QBH, 2-65 PR (1 TD), 2 INT. OSR:27/30 (CB). 1st round.