Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina senior defensive back
John Brannon III signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night following the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft. Brannon's signing was confirmed through Chargers.com late Saturday evening.
Brannon was among 19 free agents the Chargers agreed to terms with on Saturday after the conclusion of the seven-round draft that was conducted virtually. He is the second former Catamount in recent years to be inked by the southern California franchise, joining running back Detrez Newsome who was signed as a UDFA in April 2018. Another former WCU player – Hall of Famer Joe D'Alessandris – served as the offensive line coach with the franchise from 2013-15.
Brannon concluded his four-year career in Cullowhee with seven interceptions including a single-season best three in 2019, tied for the second-most in the Southern Conference. He headlined five Catamounts named All-SoCon last year, garnering second-team plaudits from both the coaches and voting media. Brannon was just one of two defenders in the league to return an interception for a touchdown among the top 10 in the SoCon, doing so with a 23-yard pick-six in the season-opener against Mercer. His team-best eight passes defended ranked eighth in the conference, adding five pass break-ups to his three INTs to accompany his 55 tackles – fifth on the Catamount defense – and two fumble recoveries.
A product of Charlotte, N.C., and South Mecklenburg HS Brannon made his first collegiate start as a true freshman but it wasn't until his senior season that he saw extensive time as a starter, doing so in all 12 games in 2019. He finished his career with 90 total tackles including 50 solo stops and four tackles for loss.
A 6-2, 195-lbs., defensive back, Brannon recorded two touchdowns during his time in Cullowhee, returning his first career interception 41 yards for a score in a home victory over ETSU in 2017 as a sophomore. That pick-six was one of two interceptions for Brannon in the game, landing him SoCon Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 16, 2017) accolades and was additionally nominated for FCS Hero of the Week through a vote by HERO Sports.
With the 2019-20 awards yet to be doled out, Brannon has twice appeared on the Southern Conference's Academic Honor Roll, doing so in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
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