Brian Branch

Brian Amani Branch (born October 22, 2001) is an American football nickelback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama.

Early years
Branch grew up in Fayetteville, Georgia, and attended Sandy Creek High School. He was named the Georgia 5A Ironman of the Year as a senior. Branch was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at Alabama over offers from Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

College career
Branch played in 12 games during his freshman season at Alabama and made 27 tackles with seven passes defended and two interceptions. As a sophomore he made 55 tackles with five tackles for loss, one sack, and nine passes defended. Branch led the Crimson Tide with eight tackles and broke up two passes in Alabama's 27–6 win over Cincinnati in the 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic. Branch entered his junior season as one of the top safety prospects for the 2023 NFL draft.

Professional career
Branch was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round, 45th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. In Branch's first career NFL game, he intercepted a pass from Patrick Mahomes and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown in a 21–20 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Branch became the first Lions player to record an interception return for a touchdown in his NFL debut since Lem Barney did so in 1967. As a rookie, he appeared in 15 games and started nine. He finished with one sack, 74 total tackles (50 solo), three interceptions, 13 passes defended, and one forced fumble.