USC Trojans receiver Zachariah Branch is hoping to showcase his stellar play in 2024 after becoming USC’s first true freshman First Team All-American last season.

In his first game as a sophomore, Branch returns to Las Vegas to play for the 23rd-ranked Trojans. He attended Bishop Gorman High School there. On Sunday night, he plays the 13th-ranked LSU Tigers in primetime at Allegiant Stadium.

The Tigers will face the difficult task of slowing Branch down, both as a wideout and as a return man. LSU coach Brian Kelly doesn’t take the challenge lightly.

“From a tactical standpoint, we limit his ability to field the ball,” Kelly said. “We definitely want to emphasize that we don’t want to shoot him straight down the middle of the field. We have two talented kickers who both have the ability to influence the game.”

“From our point of view, we have a number of things we can do to allow both of them to have an impact on the game. It’s a lot to do with trying to stop the ball being kicked through the middle and giving him the opportunity to return kicks,” Kelly continued.

In his USC debut, Branch returned a kickoff for 96 yards and a touchdown against San Jose State. Then, Branch went back-to-back with a receiving touchdown. LSU will be looking to avoid a similar fate in Branch’s sophomore debut.

In 2013, Branch averaged 20.8 yards per punt return and 18.4 yards per kickoff return. Branch became the first Trojan since 2016 to have a punt return touchdown, a kickoff return touchdown, and a receiving touchdown in the same season.

Branch and USC starting quarterback Miller Moss have developed good chemistry, and Branch complements Moss’ leadership skills well.

“I feel like we had that connection when I got here last year, even when he wasn’t playing, just in practice,” Branch said on Adam Breneman’s podcast. “He was ready for the opportunity. Everything had to happen at the right time.”

“I expect us to do some big things this year,” Branch continued. “I feel like the only people who can stop us are ourselves. I’m definitely excited to go into this new conference and make some noise early.”

Want to make some noise early? There’s nothing louder than a Sunday night battle between two of the top 25 college football teams under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

In off-field news, Zachariah Branch and his brother, Trojans safety Zion Branch, became the first college athletes to sign a NIL deal with Jordan Brand. The sibling duo are both entering their second seasons with the Trojans.

The USC vs. LSU game kicks off on Sunday, September 1 at 4:30 p.m. PT on ABC.