Branch played in 12 games during his freshman season at Alabama and made 27 tackles with seven passes defended and two interceptions.[4] As a sophomore he made 55 tackles with five tackles for loss, one sack, and nine passes defended.[5] 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.[6] Branch entered his junior season as one of the top safety prospects for the 2023 NFL draft.[7]
The Detroit Lions selected Branch in the second round (45th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. In order to assure their ability to draft Branch, the Detroit Lions orchestrated a trade, agreeing to send a second round (48th overall) and fifth round pick (159th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Green Bay Packers in return for the 45th overall pick used to draft Branch.[10]
On July 18, 2023, the Detroit Lions signed Branch to a four-year, $8.02 million contract that includes $5.62 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.83 million.[11]
On September 7, 2023, Branch made his professional regular season debut and made three combined tackles (two solo), a pass deflection, and returned his first career interception from a pass attempt thrown by Patrick Mahomes to wide receiver Kadarius Toney for a 50-yard touchdown during a 21–20 win at the Kansas City Chiefs.[15][16] 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.[17] On September 19, 2023, starting free safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral in Week 2. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn subsequently promoted Branch to starting free safety heading into Week 3.[18] On September 24, 2023, Branch earned his first career start and collected a season-high 11 solo tackles and made two pass deflections during a 20–9 victory against the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 4, he made seven combined tackles (five solo) before he was carted off the field due to an ankle injury as the Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers 34–20. His ankle injury subsequently sidelined him for the next two games (Weeks 5–6).[19] On December 24, 2023, Branch recorded six combined tackles (five solo), two pass deflections, one interception, and had his first career sack on Nick Mullens during a 30–24 victory at the Minnesota Vikings.[20] Branch started seven consecutive games at free safety (Weeks 8–15) before Ifeatu Melifonwu surpassed him on the depth chart and started the last three games. He finished his rookie campaign in 2023 with a total of 74 combined tackles (50 solo), three interceptions, 13 passes defended, one forced fumble, and a single sack in 15 games and nine starts.[21] He received an overall grade of 78.9 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 15th amongst all cornerbacks.[22]
2024 season
Branch entered training camp slated as the starting nickelback and the primary backup safety behind projected starters Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph.[23] Head coach Dan Campbell named Branch the starting free safety to start the regular season, following Ifeatu Melifonwu sustaining an ankle injury in training camp.
He started in the Detroit Lions' home-opener against the Los Angeles Rams and made seven combined tackles (five solo) and a season-high three pass deflections during a 26–20 victory. Branch was sidelined during the Lions' Week 4 win against the Seattle Seahawks due to a knee injury.[24] On December 13, 2024, Branch recorded six combined tackles (five solo), two pass deflections, and intercepted two passes thrown by Dak Prescott during a 47–9 victory at the Dallas Cowboys. His performance in Week 8 earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[25] In Week 15, he collected a season-high 14 combined tackles (eight solo) and deflected a pass in the Lions' 42–48 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He finished his sophomore season in 2024 with 109 combined tackles (79 solo), 16 pass deflections, four interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.[26] Branch was the only defensive player on the Detroit Lions to be voted to the 2025 Pro Bowl.
The Detroit Lions finished the 2024 NFL season first in the NFC North with a 15–2 record and clinched a playoff berth and a first round bye. On January 18, 2025, Branch started in his first postseason appearance and lead his team with 11 combined tackles (eight solo) and had a forced fumble as the Lions lost the Divisional Round 45–31 to the Washington Commanders.[27]
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