Birthplace: Fayetteville, Ga.
High School: Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.)
College: Alabama
A one-year starter who played the Star position — a hybrid safety/linebacker role — in Nick Saban's defense.
A four-star recruit, he went from playing a reserve role to starting 13 games last season, earning first-team All-American honors after racking up 90 tackles (14.0 for a loss), 3.0 sacks, seven pass breakups and a pair of interceptions. An excellent open field tackler, he whiffed just three times in three seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.
Branch saw extensive playing time in the slot and has been projected as a nickel cornerback by many analysts.