Following the decision of three of his college teammates confirmed yesterday, the top safety in this year’s draft class is turning pro. Alabama safety Brian Branch announced on Instagram that he is declaring for the NFL draft. 
Branch was an impact defender for the Crimson Tide throughout his three-year career with the team. His seven pass deflections made as a freshman demonstrated his ability to make plays on the ball from a different alignments. He increased that total to nine the following season, while adding 55 stops and five tackles for loss.
The 6-0, 190-pounder continued to show his versatility into his junior campaign. Branch has logged significant time playing as a nickel corner, allowing him to play closer to the line of scrimmage than a traditional free safety. Doing so has led to a number plays in run defense – as illustrated by his 90 tackles, including 14 for loss, made this season – but also those showcasing his range in coverage. He notched a pair of interceptions and three sacks in 2022.
Branch has established himself as the No. 1 prospect at the safety position, though he could easily find himself seeing time as a slot corner in the NFL. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has him ranked at 20th overall in the class, putting him squarely in first-round consideration. To no surprise, a number of early mock drafts have him hearing his name called on Day 1, including the latest from his colleague Todd McShay and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler (subscription required).
Both of those project Branch being selected by the Seahawks, a team whose surprising success this season has largely been driven by their rookie class. That group includes corners Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant, the latter of whom has played in the slot rather than his more familiar role on the perimeter. Adding Branch to that duo would set up Seattle’s secondary for long-term success, but he figures to be in high demand from a number of other teams this spring.