Georgia Bulldogs WR Zachariah Branch gets huge confidence boost from one legendary NFL QB

Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch just earned the kind of praise that can change a player’s trajectory, and it came from one of the most decorated Bulldogs to ever play at Athens.

In an appearance on 92.9 The Game with Drew Butler, longtime NFL quarterback and Georgia legend Matthew Stafford revealed he recently worked out with Branch and came away extremely impressed.

Stafford said that he worked out with Branch this offseason, and he was so impressed with him that he wants him in LA with him right now,” Trevor Michael of Dawn of the Dawg reported.

For a quarterback with Stafford’s résumé to openly endorse a college receiver like that, let alone say he wishes he could bring him to the NFL today, is as big a confidence boost as any young player can get.

And for Georgia, it sets a high bar for what the transfer wideout could bring to Athens this fall.

Branch, a transfer from USC, enters his first season with the Bulldogs after posting 1,863 all-purpose yards during his two seasons for the Trojans, including 78 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns. That helps the Bulldogs, as they were a team that struggled with drops last season, ranking at the top of the SEC for most drops.

He was considered one of the top players in the 2025 transfer portal, and Stafford’s comments further validate why Georgia made him a priority. As Trevor put it, if Stafford believes Branch could play in the NFL today, then “he believes Branch could dominate all of his competition at Georgia this season.”

Now it’s on Branch to back the good praise.

All 32 NFL teams have reported to training camp, and there’s no shortage of intrigue and storylines so far.

It didn’t seem like a big deal when Rams QB Matthew Stafford sat out the first few practices of training camp with a sore back. The plan was to get him going as soon as pads went on.