Continuing our rankings week coverage, the Rivals analysts look at which wide receiver was the best fit at the school he signed with, and why.
FINAL 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Pro-style QB | Dual-threat QB | Running back | All-purpose RB | Wide receiver | Tight end
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be the top three prospects in 2023?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Introducing the new five-stars
Tuesday: Rivals250 released | Biggest risers | Toughest rankings questions we faced | Gorney on the new Rivals250
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | Which QBs are best fits for future team? | Which RBs are best fits for future team?
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
Saturday: JUCO rankings
Sunday: Transfer portal team rankings
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ZACHARIAH BRANCH TO USC
"Brandon Innis and Carnell Tate should have no problem carrying Ohio State’s tradition of great receiver play, but they are also in the same class and will battle for playing time and catches. That makes Zachariah Branch a no-brainer for me in this spot. What Branch lacks in size he more than makes up for in skill, and he is just so unique as a player.
"When you pair Lincoln Riley's offensive mind with a weapon who can do a little bit of everything like Branch, the sky is truly the limit for what the two can accomplish at USC. Riley will find a thousand ways to get him the ball in space. He will be an instant impact player on special teams and it almost seems as though Branch was tailor made to play in the Trojans' offense." - Clint Cosgrove, national recruiting analyst
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"It’s hard to choose anybody other than Branch for this question because he is such a perfect fit for what Riley likes to do with the USC offense. Branch can beat man coverage and pick up yards after the catch. He’s going to be an instant impact player on special teams as well. Branch is so dynamic with the ball in his hands and it’s really going to be tough for defenses to scheme against him with all of the other weapons USC is going to trot out next season." - Adam Friedman, national recruiting analyst
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"Brandon Inniss should fit seamlessly into Ohio State's offense, and Johntay Cook paired with Arch Manning and/or Quinn Ewers at Texas could be electric, but by far the best fit here is Branch at USC. Riley is a phenomenal offensive play-caller and Branch is the most exciting receiver in the class who's basically unstoppable in space. Riley knows how to get players like him the ball in all kinds of inventive ways. Defenses already have a difficult time slowing down Riley's offenses, and now throw in quite possibly Tyreek Hill 2.0 and that's only good news for USC." – Adam Gorney, national recruiting director
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"Riley’s offense has always produced big-play receivers. While at Oklahoma, guys such as Marquise Brown, CeeDee Lamb and Marvin Mims became Big 12 All-Conference and All-American performers. Year one with USC was a sneak peak of coming attractions, with Mario Williams, Brenden Rice, Tahj Washington and Jordan Addison each going over the 600-yard receiving mark. When Branch arrives, Riley will have another elite receiver on the roster who can exploit secondaries from anywhere on the field and in any game situation. Branch’s speed, athleticism and hands are exceptional. As long as there is a QB to put it in Branch’s zip code, big plays will happen." - Ryan Wright, national recruiting analyst
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BRANDON INNISS TO OHIO STATE
"If you're the best receiver in the country and you're going to Ohio State it's hard to make the argument that there's a better fit anywhere else at the position. That's the scenario for Brandon Inniss and his fit at Ohio State, especially now that Brian Hartline has been promoted to offensive coordinator ahead of Inniss' arrival in Columbus.
"Inniss' skill set allows him to be weaponized in the slot and on the boundary, and Ohio State has found success with various types of receivers in the last decade under Urban Meyer and Ryan Day. The fit will allow Inniss to be used early and often despite a crowded receiver room, and it will allow him to be immensely productive." – Nick Harris, national recruiting analyst
