By Eric Groves
There are two types of Afros. One is a bushy, mass off hair that was in vogue in the 1970s. The other resides right here on the Belknap Campus. They are the wide receiving corps of the University of Louisville footballteam, or as they’ve anointed themselves, the AFROs: AmericaÍs Finest Receivers On Saturday. The latest superstar in a long line of AFROs is Deion Branch. Branch and fellow senior Zek Parker look carry on the tradition of U of L’s fine wideouts of the past: Lavell Boyd, Arnold Jackson, Miguel Montano, Ernest Givens and Mark Clayton. But Branch, a 5’10” senior from Albany, Ga., is clearly the leader of the group.
Make no mistake, he won’t have you believe he’s the leader. He’s humble in his self assessment, “I am just trying to do the same things I did last year, maybe with a little more focus or have a little more purpose. I just try lead by example and stop all the verbal stuff.” His teammates will tell you another story. After his breakout season in 2000, they voted him the team MVP. This year, he was unanimously elected a captain by his teammates. They are not short of praise for Branch either. Said QB Dave Ragone, “Speaking for Deion Branch, I think he’s the best receiver in the country. And I think he can line up with any team in the country and play. And we played Florida State, so I saw Florida. St. and I definitely think he could line up and play there.”
However, it wasnÍt always so rosy for Branch. As a highly touted recruit in high school, Branch signed with the University of Florida. But like many high school kids, Branch’s primary focus wasn’t always on his grades. After he failed to qualify academically, Florida retracted its scholarship offer, and Branch headed to Jones County College in Mississippi. While in junior college, he got his grades in order and starred on the field, becoming a second team All-America before accepting an offer to play for Coach John L. Smith’s Cardinals. Still, while U of LÍs football star is clearly on the rise, it’s not quite on the level of Florida’s just yet. But does Branch have any qualms about having missed out on something. “I donÍt have any regrets,” he said. “It’s pretty much the same offense and the coaching staff here is good and the players love to be around them. I just want to keep working hard and try to help lead this team to a another Conference USA championship.”
When the University of Louisville’s 2000 football season kicked off, there were many questions about who would alleviate some of the defensive pressure that would face record-setting receiver Arnold Jackson. Branch emphatically answered those questions and then some. He emerged as Ragone’s favorite target, leading the Cardinals in receiving, grabbing 71 catches for 1016 yards and nine touchdowns. This season, Branch finds himself in Jackson’s shoes with the targets of opposing defenses planted squarely on his chest. He has faith his teammates will offer him the same protection that he helped give to Jackson last season, “We’ve just got to take care of business. (My teammates) are all good receivers.”
Branch’s playmaking ability hasn’t gone unnoticed. Thanks to his sure hands and blazing speed, numerous pro scouting services have him listed in upper echelon of college receivers. Does the hype ever lead Branch to dream of playing in the NFL? Sure it does, but he’s also grounded enough to understand the opportunities he has been afforded as a student-athlete at U of L. “Someone would be lying if they told you they weren’t thinking about the NFL,” Branch said. “If it happens, it happens. If not, hopefully I’ll have my degree after this semester.”
A degree he’ll likely use while he’s catching footballs in the NFL.
