FAYETTEVILLE – Redshirt freshman right guard Kobe Branham made his debut as a starter in the opener against Alabama A&M, and he is now setting his sights on the upcoming game against Arkansas State on September 2, 2023. Branham, who stands at 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 326 pounds, signed with Arkansas after graduating from Fort Smith Southside, choosing the university over offers from notable programs such as Texas A&M.
Reflecting on his debut, Branham expressed his excitement, stating, “Oh, it was awesome, man. The fans really showed up. The offense really worked together. It looked really good, all the work we put in during fall camp, and it really showed.” His performance garnered positive feedback from coaches, particularly during his redshirt season.
Preparation for a Historic Game
Branham emphasized how redshirting last year and participating in warm-ups helped him manage his nerves during the opener. “I would say running out of the A was a really cool moment for me. I had a lot of family members there,” he said, referring to the iconic entrance at War Memorial Stadium.
This matchup against Arkansas State marks the first time in history that the two teams will face each other. Branham acknowledged the significance of this game, stating, “I’m grateful for the opportunity for sure. It’s never happened before, so I’m glad that this team is the team that’s going to go over there and compete.” He reiterated the importance of taking advantage of this unique opportunity.
Head Coach Sam Pittman has addressed the team regarding the historical context of the game, encouraging them to approach it with focus and determination. “He’s just talking about the history with it,” Branham noted. “We’re the team that gets the opportunity to do it, and we need to take advantage of that.”
Building on Early Success
In their opener, Arkansas rushed for a total of 200 yards, and Branham shared his thoughts on how the team could improve further. “I would say just being more consistent,” he remarked. “There’s a bunch of stuff that we have to work on as a group. It’s always something you could work on and get better at.” He emphasized the goal of increasing yards per carry as part of the team’s progression.
While some fans expressed surprise at the performance of the wide receivers, Branham was confident in their abilities. “They worked so hard during fall camps and everything. After practice every day, they’re staying for 30 minutes, an hour every day working on their craft,” he stated. “I just knew if we gave them enough time up front, they were going to get open.”
Despite Arkansas being favored in the upcoming game, Branham remains cautious. “I don’t think any game is just a pushover,” he said. “You got to go into every game thinking that it’s a game that could be lost, but you come in and you know what you’ve been working at and you’re prepared, and you’ll be fine.”
The highly anticipated game will kick off at 16:00 local time and will be available for streaming on ESPN+ and SEC Network+. With family support and a historic matchup on the line, Branham is ready to make his mark on this exciting new chapter for the Arkansas football program.
