Spring Break
Branch Eyeing Draft Saturday
Football
Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Sports
Branch's intriguing versatility has separated him from cornerbacks projected to go in the mid-rounds.
"The thing that [Branch] really has going for himself is that you don't find big corners like that who can run that want to go and play special teams the way he can," Edsall said.
Branch, who ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns as a senior and was a standout on kick coverage, also has the ability to play either safety or cornerback, depending on the system he gets drafted into.
Edsall said teams that play 3-4 or cover 2 defenses see Branch as a cornerback, while teams that play a 4-3 like him as a safety.
"I tell [NFL teams] we were going to move him to safety if I felt confident enough that I had another corner at some point in time, but we never did," Edsall said. "Because of the scheme we played, we just kept him at cornerback, but I think he can play safety too."
Regardless of what position he ends up playing, what team ends up drafting him, or how his career unfolds, Branch will never forget his time at UConn.
"Some of my best friends, my lifelong friends are here," Branch said. "I'm going to get back to [UConn] as much as possible just to hang out. That's the toughest part, leaving all the friends I made."
As he sits at home with family to watch his fate be decided, a part of him will regret not being with his teammates - particularly fellow corner Darius Butler - his best friend who he says he'll miss playing alongside and hanging out with.
"It's cool though, we'll keep in touch," Branch said. "I'm sure I'll catch him in the league next year."
Contact Kevin Duffy at Kevin.R.Duffy@UConn.edu
"The thing that [Branch] really has going for himself is that you don't find big corners like that who can run that want to go and play special teams the way he can," Edsall said.
Branch, who ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns as a senior and was a standout on kick coverage, also has the ability to play either safety or cornerback, depending on the system he gets drafted into.
Edsall said teams that play 3-4 or cover 2 defenses see Branch as a cornerback, while teams that play a 4-3 like him as a safety.
"I tell [NFL teams] we were going to move him to safety if I felt confident enough that I had another corner at some point in time, but we never did," Edsall said. "Because of the scheme we played, we just kept him at cornerback, but I think he can play safety too."
Regardless of what position he ends up playing, what team ends up drafting him, or how his career unfolds, Branch will never forget his time at UConn.
"Some of my best friends, my lifelong friends are here," Branch said. "I'm going to get back to [UConn] as much as possible just to hang out. That's the toughest part, leaving all the friends I made."
As he sits at home with family to watch his fate be decided, a part of him will regret not being with his teammates - particularly fellow corner Darius Butler - his best friend who he says he'll miss playing alongside and hanging out with.
"It's cool though, we'll keep in touch," Branch said. "I'm sure I'll catch him in the league next year."
Contact Kevin Duffy at Kevin.R.Duffy@UConn.edu
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