"Palmetto State Prospects" Scouting Report: Nate Branch, Lower Richland Diamond Hornets
Class of 2023 Midlands wide receiver with major upside draws offer from Coastal Carolina and interest from Florida, Virginia, others
Hopkins, South Carolina:
Nate Branch is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound wide receiver hailing from the Lower Richland Diamond Hornets, a South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) Class AAA Region 4 powerhouse hailing from Hopkins, SC.
Branch has recorded 21 receptions, 702 yards, and 10 touchdowns. The junior averages 33.4 yards per catch. Largely thanks to his efforts, the Diamond Hornets are sitting at 7-1 and No. 1 in the their region.
Branch utilizes lightning-fast speed when breaking off the line of scrimmage. The Class of 2023 product runs a blazing 40-yard dash, clocking in at 4.33 seconds.
Many talented student-athletes are also two-sport stars, a testament to their overall skills. Branch can check that box off as well, clocking in with a 10.72-second 100-meter dash and 22.1-second 200-meter dash while spending the springtime as a member of the Diamond Hornets men's track and field team.
Just like any dedicated student-athlete on the hunt for a collegiate scholarship, Branch dedicates his offseason to the gridiron, as well.
The student-athlete stars for Train 2 Go, a competitive 7-on-7 travel football team based in Columbia, SC.
With the season typically running from Jan-April, the touch version of the game utilizes a unique set of rules that enables quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, defensive backs, linebackers, and other skill players to increase their athletic toolkit.
It's something that also allows student-athletes to catch the eye of college scouts.
"It's a great program. We better ourselves each time we meet. We work on the little things, which is what really matters most. The coaches have helped me improve my game by helping me stay consistent. Consistency is key," Branch said.
The hard work at "The Creek" is paying off for the trending junior, who just received his first offer from the No. 24 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Oct. 25. Third-year head coach Jamey Chadwell is building a dynasty brick-by-brick in Conway, utilizing underrated talent such as Branch.
The Chanticleers finished 11-1 and No. 14 in the AP Poll in 2020, capturing the heart and minds of fans across the country as 'America's underdogs' last fall.
The downfall of Dabo Swinney's 4-3 Clemson Tigers in 2021 coupled with Coastal's continued consistency has Chadwell's Chanticleers at the 'top of the mound' in the Palmetto State so far in 2021, improving to 7-1 with a 35-28 triumph over the Troy Trojans on Thurs.
"I'm still in shock about that offer. It's a great blessing," he said.
Branch also toured the University of Virginia for their Oct. 23 clash against conference foe Georgia Tech in Charlottesville, a game that the Cavaliers would end up winning, 48-40.
"That's a wonderful group of guys. Shoutout to my guy (Virginia team regional scout) Trip Carrico," he added.
Finally, Branch is also drawing interest from the following schools: Appalachian State, Florida, Toledo, and North Carolina.