Branch possesses exceptional range and good ball skills in the secondary, but he made a name for himself as a kickoff returner in 2007, establishing school records while leading the Big East Conference with an average of 28.89 yards per return. Regarded as the fastest cornerback in college football, his ability to compete for the ball in flight and make plays in run support could see him shift to free safety at the next level.

The only Connecticut player to ever return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same season, Branch was the most experienced defensive back on the squad last year. Since taking over right cornerback duties as a junior, he has grown into his leadership role and the staff feels he could one day make an ideal coach, as he makes the extra effort to mentor and work out with the team's younger players.

Branch attended Cicero-North Syracuse High School, where he earned second-team All-State, All-Central New York and All-Area honors as a tailback and outside linebacker for the Northstars. He also excelled in track, and was the recipient of the Gatorade New York State Track Athlete of the Year Award after winning the 2004 National Indoor Track Championship in the 60 meters (6.82). He finished first in the state in both the 100 and 200 meters as a senior, setting a school record with a 10.60-second clocking in the 100-meter dash.

Branch was expected to accept a scholarship to local Syracuse, but opted to enroll at Connecticut instead. He played mostly on special teams in 2004, but became the only true freshman to start a game that year, taking over left cornerback duties for the Georgia Tech game. He recorded at least one tackle in every game, except vs. Pittsburgh, finishing with 20 tackles (12 solos) while averaging 20.0 yards on ten kickoff returns.

In May, 2005, Branch was one of five Connecticut football players arrested after an incident in which the window of a motor vehicle was shot out. The driver's-side window of a vehicle driven by a 55-year-old woman was shot out by a pellet gun as two vehicles passed each other in a parking lot, and the suspects fled the scene in a white sport utility vehicle, the police said. A few minutes later, the police located the suspects and the vehicle. They were all charged with possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle and released after posting $750 bond.

Branch spent the first part of the 2005 campaign playing in reserve. He took over right cornerback duties at midseason, starting the final five games and his next 30 contests in the lineup. He produced 42 tackles (21 solos) with an assisted sack, four pass break-ups and two interceptions. His play in the secondary helped the team rank sixth in the nation in total defense, allowing just 297.18 yards per game.

In 2006, Branch registered 79 tackles (47 solos) with four stops behind the line of scrimmage for the Big East Conference's second-ranked secondary that gave up 178.5 yards per game. He caused and recovered two fumbles, broke up four passes and also picked off another.

Even though he led the Big East and ranked 13th nationally with an average of 28.89 yards per kickoff return, scoring twice, Branch was only named a second-team All-Conference choice in 2007. He gained 780 yards on 27 attempts, as his two touchdown returns set season and career records at Connecticut. He ranked fifth on the team with a career-high 89 tackles (53 solos), including three stops for losses, a forced fumble and 10 pass deflections.

In 48 games at Connecticut, Branch started 31 contests. He recorded 224 tackles (133 solos) with an assisted sack for minus-4 yards and 7 ½ stops for losses of 32 yards. He caused three fumbles and recovered two others, advancing one 8 yards. He posted 18 pass deflections and three interceptions for 15 yards in returns. He also returned 37 kickoffs for 980 yards (26.5 avg) and a pair of touchdowns.

Positives: Has a lean frame, but generates good power behind his hits and has the hand strength to be effective in press coverage … Has more of a sprinter's build, with tapered muscles and will need to add more bulk for a potential shift to safety at the next level, but only if it does not affect his timed speed … Has exceptional range to make plays at the opposite end of the field and very good ball skills, showing good urgency closing on the play and is rarely caught out of position … Physical and aggressive taking on lead blockers to impact the rush lanes … Tireless worker who the staff says is always the first player in the office to pick up the scouting report on his upcoming opponent … Spends his spare time watching game films and has taken well to his leadership role … Needs to translate that work ethic to the weight room (has natural strength, but is not a fan of lifting), but will do what the coaches ask … In addition to his excellence as a kickoff returner, he has the speed and desire to get downfield in a hurry as a gunner on the punt coverage unit … Is smart enough to be in charge of making the check-down calls in the secondary and does a fine job of reading route combinations and acting accordingly … Even when he locks on and runs with his man, he keeps his head on a swivel to scan the field (likes to be aware of his surroundings) … Physical with his hand punch in attempts to press and reroute and has enough ability to shadow a wide receiver … Not the type to peek into the backfield or gamble much and despite marginal hips, he can stick with receivers on double moves … Breaks on the ball quickly and has the leaping ability to high point the ball … Best when playing the ball in front of him and is very alert with his eyes scanning the field … Has the sustained speed to pursue plays from across the field … Shows good body adjustment skills to get to off-target throws … Will not hesitate to battle bigger opponents in jump-ball situations … Stays low in his pads and scans the field nicely when serving as the primary support defender vs. the run … Active and willing to make plays in the backfield, using his hands well to shed and avoid on the move … Solid open-field tackler who stays low in his pads and drives with his legs in attempts to push the defender back … Stronger than his frame looks, using a good punch to come off blocks and make the play … Face-up, wrap-up tackler who looks fearless when having to make plays at the line of scrimmage.

Negatives: Can get to the thrown ball at its high point, but lacks ideal arm length and has very small hands … Not athletic enough to be a quality cover cornerback and might be a better fit at free safety due to poor backpedal technique and tight hips in transition … Too rigid in his movements because of his hip issues, looking sluggish when having to change direction (4.4 20-yard shuttle time was the third-worst of all cornerbacks at the Combine) … Underachieves in the classroom, but the staff feels he is perfectly capable of handling the mental aspect of the pro game (has lazy classroom habits) … Has good football character, but there was a minor off-field incident that needs further clarification and he does not like being challenged by hard coaching … Better playing the ball than in man coverage due to his marginal backpedal mechanics (gets too tall in his stance and fails to open his hips when transitioning) … Sometimes loses sight of the ball on deep routes and makes most of his big plays when facing the quarterback … Has just adequate hands to secure the ball on interceptions (traps them or lets them into his body rather than extend), resulting in more pass break-ups than pass thefts due to his inability to catch the ball outside his frame-work … Generally a good face-up tackler, but when he takes a side, he does not have the hand/arm strength to drag the ballcarriers down … Because of his marginal hip snap, he will need to bulk up for a possible move to safety, but the additional weight could impact his best asset -- speed.

Compares To: EUGENE WILSON-Tampa Bay … Like the former New England defender, Branch has exceptional speed, but it is sometimes negated by his inability to open his hips and come out of his breaks cleanly and with suddenness. He might be a better fit at free safety, where he can freelance and attack the ball in off coverage. His struggles on deep routes are due to an inability to change direction and get back on the route quick enough. He has valid closing speed to make plays in run force, shows good hand technique in press coverage and has developed into a quality kickoff returner. If he can add bulk for a potential shift to safety, a team will get better value from him there than when isolated one-on-one with the receiver in man coverage.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.4 in the 40-yard dash … 308-pound bench press … 438-pound squat … 270-pound power clean … 35-inch vertical jump … 29 7/8-inch arm length … 8 3/8-inch hands … Right-handed … 24/30 Wonderlic score.

Combine: 4.31 in the 40-yard dash … 1.47 10-yard dash … 2.49 20-yard dash … 4.4 20-yard shuttle … 34-inch vertical jump … 10'0" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times.

Attended Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.) High School, playing football for head coach Steve Ellis … Earned second-team All-State, All-Central New York and All-Area honors as a tailback and outside linebacker for the Northstars … Excelled in track, and was the recipient of the Gatorade New York State Track Athlete of the Year Award after winning the 2004 National Indoor Track Championship in the 60 meters (6.82) … Finished first in the state in both the 100 and 200 meters as a senior, setting a school record with a 10.60-second clocking in the 100-meter dash.

Economics major … One of nine siblings … Born Tyvon A. Branch on 12/11/86 … Resides in Syracuse, New York.