Education
He attended the University of Michigan. Branch attended Cibola High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He attended the University of Michigan. Branch attended Cibola High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft and has also played for the Seattle Seahawks. 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. 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 end at Michigan.
2006 Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.com All-American Team 2006 All-Big Ten Conference First Team (coaches and media) Arizona Cardinals Branch was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. The Cardinals acquired the pick from the Oakland Raiders. Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks signed Branch to a two-year contract on July 28, 2011.
Buffalo Bills Branch signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on April 2, 2013.
On December 23, 2013, Branch signed a multi-year contract extension with the Bills. On August 24, 2014, one day after being arrested for a Driving under the influence, Branch was cut from the team
New England Patriots On October 21, 2014, it was reported that Branch had signed a 1-year deal with the New England Patriots. The team officially announced the signing on October 29.
Branch re-signed with the Patriots on March 15, 2015, on a two-year deal worth a maximum of $6.6 millon.
NFL stats Key General Practice: games played COMB: combined tackles TOTAL: total tackles Air Service Training: assisted tackles SACK: sacks FF: forced fumbles First Revision: fumble recoveries First Revision YDS: fumble return yards INT: interceptions International Rectifier YDS: interception return yards AVG International Rectifier : average interception return Liquefied Natural Gas: longest interception return Territorial Decoration: interceptions returned for touchdown Privatdozent : passes defensed.