Alan Branch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Alan Branch

Branch with the New England Patriots in 2015
No. 78, 99, 97, 90
Position:	Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1984-12-29) December 29, 1984 (age 39) Rio Rancho, New Mexico, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:	350 lb (159 kg)
Career information
High school:	Cibola (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
College:	Michigan (2004–2006)
NFL Draft:	2007 / Round: 2 / Pick: 33
Career history
Arizona Cardinals (2007–2010) Seattle Seahawks (2011–2012) Buffalo Bills (2013) New England Patriots (2014–2017)
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI) All-American (2006) First-team All-Big Ten (2006)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 284 Sacks: 10.5 Forced fumbles: 4 Fumble recoveries: 1 Pass deflections: 14 Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Alan Keith Branch (born December 29, 1984) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft and has also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots. He played college football at Michigan.

Early years

Branch attended Cibola High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In addition to playing on the defensive line, Branch also played tight end as well as running back and punt returner in high school. He scored three rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in his senior season and five punt return touchdowns for his career.

Branch was a fairly highly regarded recruit coming out of high school, ranked as high as #6 nationally among defensive tackles.

Branch was also a three-year starter on the varsity basketball team, earning all-district honors as a sophomore and was second-team all-state as a junior.

High school awards

• Selected to play in 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
• Gatorade Player of the Year in New Mexico
• All-State as a junior and senior
• On May 3, 2017, Branch was inducted to the Cibola High School Hall of Fame

College career

Branch, along with fellow defensive all-star LaMarr Woodley, anchored one of the best defenses in college football in 2006. He had 57 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and nine sacks in 35 career games at Michigan. He had his first interception and a fumble recovery against Ohio State on November 18, 2006. Branch played both defensive tackle and defensive end at Michigan.

He earned the following accolades while at Michigan:

• 2006 ESPN.com All-American Team
• 2006 All-Big Ten Conference First-team (coaches and media)

Professional career

Arizona Cardinals

Branch was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. The Cardinals acquired the pick from the Oakland Raiders. In the 2008 NFL season, the Cardinals reached Super Bowl XLIII, but lost 27–23 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Seattle Seahawks

Branch in the 2012 preseason with the Seahawks.

The Seattle Seahawks signed Branch to a two-year contract on July 28, 2011.

Buffalo Bills

Branch signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on April 2, 2013.

On December 23, 2013, Branch signed a multi-year contract extension with the Bills.

New England Patriots

On October 21, 2014, it was reported that Branch had signed a 1-year deal with the New England Patriots. The team officially announced the signing on October 29. On February 1, 2015, Branch won his first Super Bowl, defeating his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, by a score of 28–24.

On March 15, 2015, Branch re-signed with the Patriots on a two-year deal worth a maximum of $6.6 million. Branch helped the Patriots win 14 games and earn the top seed for the AFC playoffs.

On February 5, 2017, Branch was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime. The Patriots trailed 28–3 in the third quarter, but rallied all the way back to win the game, which featured the first overtime game in Super Bowl history and the largest comeback in the Super Bowl. Branch recorded three tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a crucial fumble recovery in the game.

On March 9, 2017, Branch signed a two-year, $12 million contract extension with the Patriots. Branch played 12 games in the 2017 season and recorded 12 tackles. Branch was inactive for the playoffs, but the Patriots still made it to the Super Bowl without him only to fall to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

On March 6, 2018, the Patriots declined the option on Branch's contract, making him a free agent in 2018.

NFL career statistics