Former NFL star Will Compton pulled no punches as he ripped into the law enforcement officials that arrested college football star Zachariah Branch.
Georgia wide receiver Branch, who had been tipped by many to be an early-round draft pick this week, was arrested by police in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Athens-Clarke County police arrested him for obstructing public sidewalks/streets-prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer, according to a report by Athens Banner-Herald.
The incident couldn’t really come at a worse time. Branch had been projected by many to be a late first-round or early second-round pick at the draft in Pittsburgh later this week. But his arrest could now see his position take a big slide.
The news of his arrest sent shockwaves through the college football community and now ex-NFL star and Bussin’ With The Boys podcast host Compton has spoken out.
Taking to X on Sunday afternoon, Compton wrote: ‘An arrest over this little ego battle between the cop/player is so dumb and petty – there’s more s*** going on than to arrest someone for ‘standing in the way”.
Former NFL star Will Compton has lashed out at ‘dumb and petty’ cops following the arrest of college football star Zachariah Branch
Georgia wide receiver Branch was arrested on Sunday morning, just days before the NFL Draft
However, while the former linebacker also questioned Branch’s decisions on the night, given that the NFL Draft was swiftly approaching.
‘It’s even more moronic that a player would put themself in any public situation at 1:30am one week before the draft. Zero benefit to that decision. Only risk,’ he added.
And Compton wasn’t the only one who suggested that Branch’s actions were foolish.
Another user on X wrote: ‘Timing is the biggest issue here. Teams hate ‘distractions’ the week of the Draft. Even if the charges are minor, some GM is definitely going to use this as leverage to try and get him to slide into the 3rd or 4th round.’
Branch was arrested around 1am and released at 3:44am on a $39 bond.
The police report, obtained by NFL Network, accuses Branch of failing to follow repeated orders from a police officer who asked him to move out of their way.
Branch, 22, has held visits with the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders as well as Zoom meetings with another 20 teams in the NFL.
If Branch was to take a tumble down draft boards across the NFL due to his arrest, then this latest incident could end up costing him millions.
The 22-year-old Branch had an SEC-leading 81 catches for Georgia last year
Branch recently said his personality off the field makes him an attractive pick for NFL teams
Branch played for two seasons at USC Trojans before transferring to Georgia last year
Rookie salaries depend on where they are taken in the draft. Last year, many felt that Shedeur Sanders could have been a top-three pick before concerns about his attitude saw the Browns take him in round five. His four-year deal is worth around $4.6million.
In contrast, the No.1 pick Cam Ward signed a four-year, $48.7m deal. While there is no suggestion Branch would have been taken early in the first round, the difference in pay between rounds is still huge.
In a recent interview with NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, Branch told teams that whoever picked him would be getting a ‘great person’ outside of his football talents.
‘The way I was raised is how I carry myself,’ he said. ‘You’re getting a great person overall, I have a foundation with my brother – the Branch Out Foundation – for people who may not have the resources I had growing up. So you’re getting a great, caring person.
‘I’d also say get your popcorn ready because when I get the ball, I make something happen.’
Branch was apparently in Georgia to watch the team’s spring game. His brother, Zion, plays for Georgia as a safety.
Branch, who led the SEC in 2025 with 81 catches as well as recording 811 receiving yards and six touchdown catches, transferred to Georgia last year after two seasons with the USC Trojans.
He also ran an impressive 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.
