Jason Branch Class: Senior Hometown: LaBelle, FL High School: Labelle Height / Weight: 6-6 / 219 Position: Wide Receiver Birthdate: 03/31/1980 Experience: 3

Scouting Report

Big-play wide receiver who has emerged as Miami’s top receiving threat over the past two seasons ... tall and athletic with the ability to jump over defenders and haul in the big catch ... enjoyed a strong off-season in terms of fine tuning his physique.

2001 Season

Started all 12 games for the RedHawks and was the only receiver to catch at least one pass in each game ... led the team with 46 catches (for 565 yards) and six TDs ... posted a 12.3 ypc average ... was part of the first Miami trio, along with Mike Larkin and Eddie Tillitz, to each catch for over 500 yards ... pulled in a season-high six receptions versus Ball State (for 52 yards) and Western Michigan (for 64 yards), including a TD in each game ... equaled his single-game best for TDs with a pair of scoring grabs at Hawai’i ... also recorded a season-best 92 yards vs. the Warriors ... earned the team’s Keith Swailes Outstanding Junior Award ... twice highlighted for circus catches on ESPN’s Plays of the Week.

2000 Season

Blossomed late in the season to finish fourth in receptions (31), third in receiving yardage (465) and second in receiving TD’s (4) ... in final five games (three of those contests were against teams that won seven or more games) he totaled 24 catches for 351 yards and four TD’s ... his “break-out” game came against Ohio (Nov. 4) when he totaled five receptions for a career-best 143 yards and two TD’s ... his second TD versus the Bobcats—a 37-yarder—came with 1:19 to play and gave Miami a 27-24 come-from-behind victory ... caught a personal-best seven passes (for 86 yards) and one TD at Marshall (Nov. 11) ... played in all 11 games and started four.

1999 Season

Played in nine games and caught at least one pass in three of them ... snared a season-best two receptions (for 42 yards) at Central Michigan (Sept. 25) ... also had a 13-yard catch at West Virginia (Sept. 11), his first career catch, and a 21-yard grab for a touchdown vs. Buffalo (Nov. 20) ... the TD vs. Buffalo was his first collegiate score.

1998 Season

Redshirted.

High School

Three-year letterwinner as a wide receiver ... first-team all-conference and second-team all-district pick as a senior … averaged 27 yards per catch with 28 receptions … played in Outback Steakhouse All-Star Game his senior season … voted most improved player on his team his junior year … helped LaBelle to a state championship appearance his sophomore season … coached by Ronald Dunbar …also earned four letters in basketball and four in track … finished second in the state in the triple jump as a junior (45-9 ).

Personal

Born March 31, 1980 (22 years old) … son of Arnold and Joann Branch … majoring in sport organization.