Lynn Bowden Jr. is one of the better wide receivers Kentucky has ever seen. It helps that he also played a pretty excellent quarterback for the Wildcats too. He stays active on social media and continues to cheer on and root for Kentucky. Today, he posted a message to one of the best players in the transfer portal, Zachariah Branch from USC.
Come to UK https://t.co/2z1NHQMrz9
— Lynn Bowden Jr (@LynnBowden_1) December 18, 2024
Branch was a 5-star recruit out of high school, and it's been reported that he may command one of the biggest NIL deals ever by a wide receiver. At USC, he was a lethal receiver and return man. He had 47 catches for 503 yards this season and also 18 total returns in both punting and kicking for a total of 179 yards.
The problem with this for Kentucky fans is that there is nothing really linking him to the Wildcats. He didn't consider them coming out of high school, and no transfer portal expert has Kentucky as a destination to watch. Pete Nakos of On3.com says the teams to watch are Michigan, Florida, Miami, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Louisville.
Miami, Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Louisville are early schools to watch for USC transfer WR Zachariah Branch, per @PeteNakos_👀https://t.co/9wzGFoAHEs pic.twitter.com/RsDWuGYjyy
— On3 (@On3sports) December 17, 2024
Branch is jumping into the portal with his brother Zion Branch who played safety last season for the Trojans. He recorded 19 tackles and one sack. They are reportedly working to go to the same school for their next destination. A two-for-one package would be huge for any school that can land them.
Sources: USC’s Zachariah and Zion Branch are entering the NCAA transfer portal. The brothers are expected to go to their next destination together. Zachariah was a freshman All-American in 2023 and is regarded as one of the country’s most explosive receivers. pic.twitter.com/sf13DvSqfe
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 17, 2024
The question becomes, "Is there a connection between Bowden and Branch?" As far as can be discerned, they have no known connection. Bowden is most likely doing what he likes, which is rooting for his alma mater, even in the transfer portal. Adding Branch would be huge for the Wildcats, and if Bowden can somehow provide some sway, he would want to throw his name into that mix.