Class of 2026 defensive tackle Tavian Branch has decommitted from Rutgers and reopened his recruitment.
News broke on Friday afternoon that one of Rutgers Football’s top recruits in the 2026 class, defensive tackle Tavian Branch out of Riverside (Pa.) has decided to reopen his recruitment.
Obviously every decommitment stings a bit, especially when it is one of your top prospects on the board, but how much does Branch leaving this class hurt the Scarlet Knights?
The Knight Report Publisher Richie O’Leary offered his take on Branch’s decision.
Richie O’Leary’s take…
Finding defensive tackles in high school recruiting is tough, finding good defensive tackles is even harder and Branch was just that. I’ve been lucky enough to see Branch multiple times this offseason, at a few different camps and came away impressed following each of them.
For starters, Branch has the frame of a Power-Four defensive tackle, listed as a legit 6-3.5, 300-pounds at the Under Armour All-American series earlier in the year. On top of that, he’s very athletic for his size and was spotted running routes with his high school team at the Rutgers 7on7 camp in late June. Last but not least, Branch is very talented. Along with his size, he’s quick off the snap, strong, and is pretty damn good with his hands.
End of the day, this leaves Rutgers with only one defensive tackle commit this cycle in Jermaine Polk. So all in all, this one stings the Scarlet Knights.
STING FACTOR: 8/10
Chad Simmons’ take…
F
STING FACTOR: 8/10
Wondering what other Rutgers fans are saying?Category: General Sports
