Former Georgia Bulldogs star Zachariah Branch was arrested, days ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Branch, a wide receiver, is expected to go in the second round or third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, his draft stock has likely taken a hit, following his arrest this week.
The former Bulldogs star was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, on two possible misdemeanor charges.
Candice Ward/Getty Images
The arrest report is out now, though, and it's sparking controversy.
Branch was reportedly arrested after not moving far enough away from a sidewalk.
“A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an 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. Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business. Due to those actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.”
The arrest report sparks controversy
"Ok it’s some (expletive). Everyone can move along except his attorney," one fan wrote.
"Sounds like abuse of power to me," one fan added.
"I would like a full blown investigation done into why Athens police are the way they are. This made me laugh out loud but not the least bit shocked," one fan added.
"Blocking a sidewalk? Whatever. Zero impact on draft status," one fan added.
"As someone who is also 5’10 and 175 pounds, can confirm that it is really easy to block an entire sidewalk and prevent anyone from passing. It’s frankly a public hazard to everyone around me every time I step outside," another fan joked.
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is set for Thursday night.
