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DT, 6'3, 312, 4.9, 420 BP
Tuscaloosa, AL
Birthday: 4-22-80
High School: Central
HS Mascot: Falcons
HS Coach: Buzz Busby
HS Position: DT
HS Number: 98
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: Mississippi State
Committed: 2-3-99
Academic Status: Not Qualified
Stats
HS Junior Season
Tackles
HS Senior Season
Tackles
Honors
- All-State
- Sophomore of The Year
- Team MVP
- Birmingham Post-Hearld Ten Most Wanted
SBR Scouting Report
Uses his 420-pound bench press to “bull-rush” offensive linemen. Collapses the pocket well but strength is clogging the middle against the run. Has enough quickness to be effective. Could be an outstanding offensive lineman. Projects as a nose-tackle in a 3-4 or shade tackle in a 4-3 scheme.
[Observation: junior game film.]
Stories
Someday He'll Play For Alabama
Branch |
Robert Branch remembers his days as a little kid playing football every Saturday afternoon in his front yard.
"I only live a few blocks from Bryant-Denny Stadium," Branch says. "We'd be out in the front yard playing during Alabama games. Every time the crowd would cheer, we'd pretend that they were cheering for us."
Someday soon the cheers could really be for him. On February 3rd, the 6'3, 312-pound, All-State defensive lineman signed to play for the team that he's always dreamed about.
"In a way I never thought that I'd play for Alabama, but in another way I did," Branch says. "When I was a kid and then when I got into high school, I used to walk around the stadium. I'd get so pumped up listening to the crowd. I knew that I wanted to play on that field."
But before Branch can suit up for the Tide, he'll probably have to spend two years at a JUCO.
"I'm still hoping to pass the [ACT] test," Branch says. "But if I don't get eligible, I'll probably go to East Mississippi Community College."
Still, Branch dreams of someday playing for Alabama.
"When I visited Alabama they took us on a tour of the stadium," Branch says. "We walked out onto the field and the announcer said, 'Here's today's starting lineup for the Crimson Tide. From Tuscaloosa, number 98, Robert Branch.' I looked up at the scoreboard and my picture was on the big screen. That fired me up."
"Yeah, it definitely made me think about those days in my front yard."
Branch Stuffs Tuscaloosa County's Option!
There's no hesitation in Robert Branch's response. His most memorable play came during his junior season against archrival Tuscaloosa County.
"I watch the tape all the time," Branch says. "I just sit there and rewind that play over and over."
The game was tied in overtime. County High faced a fourth-and-six deep in Central territory.
"They decided to go for it," Branch says. "They ran the option away from me."
Branch, a 6'3, 310-pound defensive tackle, shucked the blocker in front of him and headed for County High quarterback Bobby Moore.
"He never made it to the corner," Branch says. "I grabbed him from behind and tackled him for a big loss."
"We ended up losing the game, but that play is a good example of my style."
His style helped him that season make 97 tackles and 12 sacks.
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