Calvin Branch enters his 25th season with the Raiders and his 20th as a college scout. Prior to his time as a college scout, he played defensive back for the Silver and Black from 1997-2000, with additional stints in 2002 and 2005, after joining the organization as the team's sixth-round draft pick in 1997. 

A native of Houston, Branch graduated from Colorado State with a bachelor's degree in business marketing. He played running back for the Rams where he was first-team all-conference and Blue/Gray All Star game MVP as a senior. Branch's brother Colin also played in the NFL and was a fourth-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2003. Branch has a son, Caden.