Alan Branch
Encyclopedia
Alan Keith Branch is an American football
defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks
. He attended the University of Michigan
.
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
. In addition to playing on the defensive line, Branch also played tight end
as well as running back
and punt returner
in high school. He scored 3 rushing touchdowns and 2 receiving touchdowns in his senior season and 5 punt return touchdowns for his career.
Branch was a fairly highly regarded recruit coming out of high school, ranked as high as #6 nationally among defensive tackles.
Branch was also a three year starter on the varsity basketball team, earning all-district honors as a sophomore and was second team all-state as a junior.
at Michigan.
. The Cardinals acquired the pick from the Oakland Raiders
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. He attended the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
.
Early years
Branch attended Cibola High SchoolCibola High School (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Cibola High School is a public Senior high school located on the West Side of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is part of the Albuquerque Public Schools district. Due to rapid population growth in the surrounding area, CHS was largest high school in New Mexico by 2006 and was severely overcrowded, with...
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. In addition to playing on the defensive line, Branch also played tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
as well as running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
and punt returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
in high school. He scored 3 rushing touchdowns and 2 receiving touchdowns in his senior season and 5 punt return touchdowns for his career.
Branch was a fairly highly regarded recruit coming out of high school, ranked as high as #6 nationally among defensive tackles.
Branch was also a three year starter on the varsity basketball team, earning all-district honors as a sophomore and was second team all-state as a junior.
Awards
- Selected to play in 2004 U.S. Army All-American BowlU.S. Army All-American BowlThe U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
- Gatorade Player of the Year in New Mexico
- All-State as a junior and senior
College career
Branch, along with fellow defensive all-star LaMarr Woodley, anchored one of the best defenses in college football in 2006. He had 57 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and nine sacks in 35 career games at Michigan. He had his first interception and a fumble recovery against Ohio State on November 18, 2006. Branch played both defensive tackle and defensive endDefensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
at Michigan.
- 2006 ESPN.com All-American Team
- 2006 All-Big Ten Conference First Team (coaches and media)
Professional career
Branch was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. The Cardinals acquired the pick from the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.