Brian Branch is a phenomenal prospect who overtook Malachi Moore for the starting ROVER spot at the end of the 2020 season, starting the SEC Championship and the Playoff games in relief of Moore who was injured. His work as a ROVER in the Alabama defense has been solid, a legitimate upgrade over what Moore offered the team in the spot. He looks like he could be viewed as this year’s Jalen Pitre-type prospect.
Brian Branch
ROVER – Alabama Crimson Tide
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Brian Branch scouting notes
Pros:
- Good speed, not great.
- Has decent upper-body strength.
- Very strong tackler. Devastating at the point of contact.
- Strong space defender.
- Very solid blitzer. Has a bunch of tools to work around blockers if he gets caught up in traffic or picked up. Excellent bend.
- Solid instincts when coming after the quarterback.
- Contests the catch point with everything that he has.
- Very quick to recognize the plays around him.
Cons:
- A little passive with his pursuit angles. Would like to see him pick up his intensity in pursuit more often.
- Capable in man coverage, but doesn’t work across the field well. Surrenders positioning too easily.
- Too physical and has to be better about timing his hit and how he contests the catch point. Tends to get too grabby for my liking.
