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Was the third defensive tackle taken in the 2007 Draft behind Amobi Okoye (10th overall, Houston) and Justin Harrell (16th overall, Green Bay).
Expected by many to go early in the first round, Arizona traded up (sent fourth-rounder to Oakland) to select Branch with the first pick in the second round (33rd overall).
Helped Michigan’s run defense rank #1 in the country last season; the Wolverines allowed just 43.4 rushing yards per game and gave up fewer than 50 rushing yards in 11 of their 13 games.
Returns to the Southwest, having grown up in Rio Rancho, NM; in high school, played both offensive and defensive lines, as well as running back, quarterback, and punt returner.
Was a college teammate of Cardinals defensive tackle Gabe Watson and 2007 fifth-round draft pick, wide receiver Steve Breaston.
College Career:
A dominant force on the defensive line at Michigan who anchored the line and freed up his teammates to make plays. As he often commanded double teams from the offensive line, the Wolverines pass rushers led the Big Ten Conference with an average of 3.2 quarterback sacks per game in 2006 while also leading the conference with an average of 7.1 tackles behind the line of scrimmage per game. Entered the 2007 Draft following his junior season in Ann Arbor.
2006: All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice by the league’s coaches and media started all 13 games at left defensive tackle his ability to handle double teams and shut down the interior ground game saw the Wolverines lead the nation in rush defense, allowing only 43.3 yards per game the team also ranked 10th nationally allowing 268.3 yards per game in total offense recorded 25 tackles (17 solos) with two sacks for minus 16 yards, six stops for losses of 23 yards and two pressures intercepted one pass and deflected two others caused two fumbles and recovered three others.
2005: Recipient of the Richard Katcher Award, given to Michigan's top defensive lineman ... saw action in all 12 games, starting the final 10 lined up at nose tackle vs. Eastern Michigan, Wisconsin and Michigan State before shifting to left defensive end for his final seven starts recorded a career-high 31 tackles (13 solos) with five sacks for minus 13 yards and seven stops for losses totaling 27 yards.
2004: Reserve defensive end, appearing in 12 games recorded five tackles (four solos) with two sacks for minus nine yards in his career debut, hiss first statistics for the Wolverines came when he sacked QB Mike Kokal for a five-yard loss in the fourth quarter of the Miami (OH) contest.
Personal:
Full name Alan Keith Branch attended Cibola (Rio Rancho, N.M.) High School where he was standout two-way lineman and fullback named Gatorade Player of the Year in New Mexico, earning All-State and All-District accolades as a junior and senior picked up team MVP honors both of those seasons recorded over 200 tackles with 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage, including six sacks, forced four fumbles with two recoveries and one interception in his career also returned five punts for touchdowns in addition to football, he lettered three times in basketball, picking up All-District first-team and All-State second-team honors as a junior. | 