Branch Goes in Second Round to Patriots
April 21, 2002 | Football
April 21, 2002
With consecutive 1,000-plus yard receiving seasons and a pair of First Team Conference USA selections to show after two seasons at Louisville, it was clear that Deion Branch was going to find himself playing football on Sunday's next season -- the only question which remained was the color of the jersey he would be wearing. That question was answered when the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots selected Branch in the second round of the NFL Draft with the 65th overall pick.
A native of Albany, Ga., Branch made a huge splash in his two seasons as a Cardinal. Breaking into the starting lineup at the same time as quarterback Dave Ragone, Branch quickly became the favorite target of the two-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year. The duo accounted for 2,204 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air while leading the Cardinals to consecutive Conference USA titles.
During his two years at Louisville, Branch became one of the most prolific scoring threats in school history, accounting for nine touchdowns each season. His 2,204 yards ranks No. 4 on the U of L career receiving list despite being the only player among the top 10 to play less than three seasons at the school.
In 2001, Branch tallied 1,188 yards, falling only 21 yards shy of the school and Conference USA single season receiving mark despite missing nearly two games due to injury. For his career, he notched nine 100-yard plus receiving games, including the final four contests of the 2001 season.
