Honors & Awards
» Academic All-Big Ten (2022)
» Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2021, 2022; Spring 2022)
» Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2022)
» Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2022, 2023)

2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Derek Branch did not play in a game in 2022.

2021 (Redshirt)
Branch did not play in a game during the 2021 season.

Before Nebraska (Lincoln Southeast HS)
Branch joined the Husker program as a defensive back from Lincoln Southeast High School. Branch was a key member of the Knight defense in his final three seasons, helping Southeast to three consecutive state quarterfinal appearances. As a senior, Branch was the leading receiver for an 8-1 Southeast team, finishing with 18 receptions for 181 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for a score. Defensively, he had 56 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups. Branch returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown. He was named an honorary captain of the Lincoln Journal Star all-city foodball team in addition to being a first-team Super-State selection and second-team Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska pick. Branch was an honorable-mention all-state selection as a junior in helping the Knights to a 9-2 record. He had 45 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups, while adding nine receptions on offense. Branch also excelled on defense as a sophomore, making 38 tackles, while intercepting a pass and adding two breakups and two fumble recoveries. He also played basketball for Southeast. Branch is the son of Troy Branch, a Husker linebacker from 1990 to 1993. The younger Branch had interest from Ivy League schools, including Cornell.

Personal
Derek was born on April 4, 2003, and he is the son of Troy Branch and Julie Jones-Branch. He is majoring in business administration and has volunteered his time with the Red Carpet Experience, the Nebraska Football Road Race, and the Diversity and Inclusion Summit. Branch’s father, Troy, earned four letters as a linebacker from Nebraska from 1990 to 1993.