Zachariah Branch isn’t only shaking things up on the gridiron as a wide receiver for the USC Trojans; he’s also cashing in on those sweet, sweet NIL dollars. As one of the most promising young football players, Branch has attracted the attention of some of the leading brands in the market that are interested in affiliating with him. However, these prospects are major evidence of his athletic skills and proof of his ability to become one of the most popular personalities in college football.

Branch’s entry into the NIL space started with a bang after performing exceedingly well for the University of Southern California. His initial performance on the sports field was sensationalized right from his kick-off return for a touchdown, a 96-yard one at that. This drew the attention of Panini America, a top trading card firm that promptly aligned with Branch. This partnership was one of the first he ever inked, and it placed Branch’s face on trading cards and other merchandise, a first for the still-nascent Branch. Panini America’s decision to include Branch in their lineup speaks to the wide receiver’s potential to become one of college football’s elite players.

Expanding his portfolio: new NIL partnerships

Following his initial success, Branch continued to build his brand with additional NIL deals. On October 1, 2023, he entered a partnership with C4 Energy, a carbonated energy drink. This deal highlights Branch’s appeal as an athlete who embodies energy and intensity, qualities C4 Energy aims to promote with its products.

The buck didn’t stop there. Thus, two more partnerships entered his list in November 2023. He shared these deals on Instagram collab posts, where he advertised Perfect Hydration Water and Honey Stinger, a nutrition brand. These partnerships follow Branch’s goal of ensuring that the athletes’ bodies are always in excellent form. Thus, associating with brands that focus on hydration and nutrition increases the circle of Branch’s influence and strengthens his image of a true practicing athlete who pays attention to the quality of his diet. While the exact valuation of each NIL deal signed by Zachariah Branch isn’t publicly available, some reports approximate his estimated overall NIL valuation at $673,000.

A bright future with EA Sports

On February 27, 2024, Branch signed a NIL deal with EA Sports College Football 25. This deal, regarded as the most prominent in his career, is rather special because EA Sports has not released its college football video game series since 2013. To Branch, being part of this historic comeback is something the man can be proud of, as it puts him in the company of some legends that have graced college football. The EA Sports deal serves Branch’s image well because it not only markets him to a fan base but puts him in the hands of a new caliber of fan that witnesses his stunts on-field vicariously through the video game.

Thus, Zachariah Branch’s story, highlighting his NIL experience, is the story of his quick ascension in college football. Branch has extended his product line from trading cards and energy drinks to video games; this is the right strategy needed to cement his empire. While he is still actively playing on the field, more opportunities will be on the way, making him an eligible athlete and a powerful NIL brand name.