Inside the Recruitment: A visit with top 2026 DL Tavian Branch who’s taking notice of Lane Kiffin’s Rebels

OXFORD, Miss. — As the gridiron heats up with teams gearing up for what they hope will be a “November to remember,” the recruiting trail is also set to ignite as programs count down to the early signing period. With plenty of changes unfolding within various teams, many prospects must maintain their focus as they approach their final decisions.

The Rebels have gained a reputation for orchestrating flips during the commitment season, particularly around the holidays. With Lane Kiffin leading his squad into Week 10 as the No. 7 team in the nation and boasting a 7-1, 4-1, SEC record, interest is surging among potential recruits eager to be part of what’s happening in Mississippi.

One of those recruits is Tavian Branch, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive lineman from Riverside High School in Taylor, Pennsylvania.

Big Rivialry Win 50-8 only played two quarters = 2.5 Sacks 3TFL 6QB Pressure 6Tackles 5 pancakes . Next week Game of the Year against Lackawanna Trailhttps://t.co/dhOEFMP0qc

— Tavian Branch (@BranchTavian) October 18, 2025

Like many of his peers, Branch opted to stay closer to home after initially committing to Rutgers and later flipping his commitment to Penn State. However, with recent upheavals at Penn State, athletes like Branch are reevaluating their futures. The three-star lineman has amassed nearly 30 offers and ranks as the No. 63 defensive lineman in the class of 2026 and No. 14 overall athlete from Pennsylvania.

Branch thrives on creating chaos in the trenches; this season alone, he has recorded impressive stats: 50 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 24 tackles for loss (TFL), 27 quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles (FF), two fumble recoveries (FR), five tipped passes, three blocked field goals, one blocked punt, and an astounding 85 pancake blocks—all while playing just two quarters in seven out of eight games.

The Quick Scout

Watching his tape reveals that Branch is a true game-changer. He plays with intensity and relentless drive. His exceptional motor combined with his powerful frame make him well-equipped for battles along both sides of the line.

When he accelerates toward the quarterback, he does so with a ferocity that disrupts plays. His agility is noticeable when executing swim moves or maneuvering past double teams; he knows how to swivel his hips effectively to shed blockers. Despite currently being ranked as a three-star recruit, Branch possesses an impressive toolkit of potential that could make him a dominant force in the trenches with continued development. One area for growth would be refining his hand techniques; nonetheless, this young athlete is undoubtedly a burgeoning trench beast who could find longevity in the SEC.

While Branch remains committed to Penn State for now, numerous programs—including Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss—are vying for his attention. We caught up with Branch recently to discuss his recruitment journey and share his thoughts on Ole Miss’ victory in Norman.

A visit with Branch

On schools right now making a strong push in his  recruitment: “Ole Miss and Auburn and Florida, obviously Penn State with me still being committed”

On what stands out about Ole Miss: “The coaches and them winning games!”

On what he’s most looking for in a  program: “The culture of the program and getting the right development for DT.”

On  schools set to get upcoming visits from him:“Ole Miss and Auburn.”

On the win in Norman: “Big win for Ole Miss, love the way they played.”

As Branch continues to evaluate his future options, he is preparing to make a significant impact in the trenches this week as Riverside faces Dunmore in a highly anticipated Halloween showdown. Riverside boasts an impressive record of 8-1 for the season.

Meanwhile, Lane Kiffin and the Rebels aim to maintain their momentum as they host Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks on November 1, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway.

Stay tuned for more updates on Branch and his recruitment process.